Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Cathaoirleach Gníomhach for his indulgence.

The commitment and dedication of firefighters in unparalleled. Firefighting is a vocation rather than just a job because if a person did not have the appetite for that job, he or she would not be doing it. They would want to be, as we say in west Cork, as tough as táthfhéithleann. One example that worried me recently was when a young councillor colleague, not my friend who is here today, told me of a case of young man who went for a job in a local authority. He had all sorts of qualifications, had perfect references, was able to drive machinery and would have been a perfect candidate. It appeared to him after the interview that he was going to get the job. When it emerged that he was a member of the fire brigade in a certain town, the job suddenly vanished.The local authority in question, Cork County Council, did not want a man employed by it to be a firefighter because it would impede his normal working duties. That is an appalling scenario.

I thank the Acting Chair for his indulgence. I also thank my colleague, Senator Gallagher, who allowed me to share his time. He was in pole position and allowed me to come in with him, which I appreciate. I hope we will have positive news before the year is out. None of the guys and girls I know want to go on strike. They do not want that. It is the last option available to them.