Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the latitude shown by the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach.

I thank the Minister of State for his response. He mentioned the review. I very much welcome the review and its findings have been accepted and endorsed by the relevant parties. I attended a demonstration in Dublin six months ago by fire service personnel from all over the country, including County Monaghan. Six months have passed and unfortunately we seem to be at an impasse. I spoke to some firefighters yesterday who told me that training courses they were meant to undertake had been cancelled because of the upcoming industrial action. There is a safety issue here as regards communities. I ask the Minister of State to stress to the Minister the importance of trying to find a resolution to this dispute. I ask that the Minister contact both parties again with a view to encouraging them to go back to the table to find a resolution that will be acceptable to all parties. It is important that our communities can feel safe in the knowledge that, in the event of an emergency, the fire service personnel will be on the end of the line when they need them as they always have been.