Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. I also extend a welcome to Councillor Patrick Murphy and his friends on their day in Leinster House.

I recently attended an event commemorating the brave service of members of Monaghan Auxiliary Fire Service in the immediate aftermath of the terrible events of the Monaghan bombing on 17 May 1974. The immediate response of those members to a very dangerous, precarious and unknown situation cannot be underestimated. In the past 50 years, firefighters across the length and breadth of the country have responded to thousands of dangerous and unknown situations with professionalism and courage. Unfortunately, right now, our retained fire service is struggling to maintain adequate numbers to allow for safe operations, with crew numbers declining in all counties. This, in turn, is leading to even greater pressure being brought to bear on firefighters retained in the service.

People will be surprised to learn that a whole-time retained firefighter earns approximately €700 per month, which equates to 99 cent per hour. For this, they must be on call 24-7, 360 days a year, stay within 3 km of the station at all times, attend the station within five minutes of a call and attend eight weeks of compulsory training in the first year to qualify as a firefighter. There are also many other restrictions in addition to those. All the retained firefighters are asking for is a fair salary for a very difficult and dangerous job, which involves huge commitment to the local community. Surely it is time to review the role of the whole-time fire firefighter as a professional role within the local authority that deserves proper pay and a decent work-life balance.I understand that negotiations with the LGMA have broken down, which is unfortunate, and strike action has been served on the relevant parties. I ask that everything be done to ensure the strike does not happen, because if it does, the safety of the community will be put at risk. We cannot allow that to happen. All these people are looking for is fair pay for the important job they do.