August 9, 2023
Retained firefighters have no option but to escalate industrial action with Darragh O’Brien missing in action – Louise O’Reilly TD

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Workers’ Rights, Louise O’Reilly TD, has said today’s decision by retained firefighters to escalate industrial action comes as a direct result of Minister Darragh O’Brien missing in action.

Teachta O’Reilly said:

“The retained firefighters represented by SIPTU have announced today that they will be escalating their industrial action. They are committed to keeping our communities safe so I know that this is the last thing that they wanted and I know that they want a resolution to this dispute. 

“They feel they have no option to escalate industrial action and this is a direct result of Minister Darragh O’Brien missing in action.

“He knows that our retained firefighters have been enduring impossible working conditions for far too long. It is time now for him to intervene and bring a resolution to this dispute. 

“Retained firefighters are expected to be on call 24/7, 351 days of the year and to remain within a few kilometres of their local fire station. All for a salary of 99 cent an hour for cover.

“Darragh O’Brien also knows that these conditions have led to a wholly unsustainable recruitment crisis in the service. Yet he has repeatedly walked away from his responsibilities and has displayed staggering arrogance in his failure to engage on this issue.

“This recruitment and retention crisis is putting them and our communities in danger. That has to be addressed. 

“Our firefighters should not be forced out onto a picket line. They deserve decent terms and conditions and they, and our communities, deserve to be safe. 

“What the retained firefighters are looking for, and what we in Sinn Féin called for in a motion put forward by John Brady and Eoin Ó Broin earlier this year, is for the government to act on the 13 recommendations arising out of its own report calling for reform of the fire service, which Minister O’Brien informed the Dáil he supported last November.

“Darragh O’Brien cannot keep running away from his responsibilities. He must work with the retained firefighters and with their representatives in SIPTU to bring about a just and fair resolution to this industrial dispute.”

Share On Facebook
Share On Twitter
Share On Whatsapp
Share Via Email
Copy URL

Follow us online

Latest Tweets
sinnfeinireland Sinn Féin @sinnfeinireland ·
10h

Norma Foley’s description of teacher shortage crisis another tone deaf insult – @SorcaClarke_TD

“10 days after videos emerged of contemptible jeering of teachers at a Fine Gael election event, it was Fianna Fáil’s turn to insult the entire profession.”

Reply on Twitter 1859491937717563763 Retweet on Twitter 1859491937717563763 26 Like on Twitter 1859491937717563763 56 Twitter 1859491937717563763
Retweet on Twitter Sinn Féin Retweeted
maryloumcdonald Mary Lou McDonald @maryloumcdonald ·
18h

Just out of The Big Interview! We’ve 9 days to change the government. To elect a new government for working people led by Sinn Féin.

We are in this election to win. But we can’t do this without you. You can make it happen.

Vote for a better future for you, your family, your…

Reply on Twitter 1859376619791470968 Retweet on Twitter 1859376619791470968 191 Like on Twitter 1859376619791470968 1285 Twitter 1859376619791470968
sinnfeinireland Sinn Féin @sinnfeinireland ·
18h

The parties that caused the housing crisis can’t be trusted to solve it.

Sinn Féin will tackle the housing crisis head-on.

It has to be done. And it can be done!

#ge24 #TheBigInterview

Reply on Twitter 1859378925366829335 Retweet on Twitter 1859378925366829335 48 Like on Twitter 1859378925366829335 144 Twitter 1859378925366829335
Load More

Statements