Kenny backs firefighters as strikes pause in Leitrim

A Sligo-Leitrim TD hopes the challenges facing retained firefighters will be resolved in order to save the service.

Deputy Martin Kenny commented following news that all-out strikes will be halted pending the result of a Labour Court hearing due to take place next week, June 26.

SIPTU members began a campaign of rolling industrial action on June 6 due to a worsening recruitment and retention crisis in the service, which holds a roster of almost 2,000 retained fire service members across 200 stations.

Retained firefighters are currently paid an annual retainer, with a significant portion of pay coming from attending emergency calls, training and special duties.

The cost of running retained fire services is on a pay-as-used principle.

Commenting on the latest news, Deputy Kenny said, “It’s a vital service, particularly in rural Ireland and especially in Leitrim.

They do excellent work, most of them - all of them, I think - have other jobs and other lives to lead and yet they’re on call 24/7 if there’s an incident.

“I’ve had incidents myself where the firemen had to come, they came from Mohill and most recently from Ballinamore, very people are experiencing.

“They’ve saved lives. I think of all sectors they need to be looked after properly.”

The TD’s comments come ahead of the Labour Court hearing, which will conduct a full hearing concerning the dispute.

This follows on from exploratory discussions attended by the SIPTU retained firefighter negotiating committee as well as representatives of the Local Government Management Association (LGMA).

SIPTU Public Administration and Community Division Organiser, Karan O Loughlin, said, “Our members appreciate the intervention of the Court in this matter and have suspended their quick and efficient. They were really really excellent in their approach and how they do their work.”

He continued: “People just won’t do [the job] for the kind of money offered at the moment in the context of the cost of living crisis that industrial action at its request.

“However, the resolution to this dispute will be complex and difficult. Our members will not settle for anything other than an agreement which safeguards the functioning of this vital emergency service into the future.”

Deputy Kenny said, “I hope the Labour Court will look at it in the round and recognise the commitment [retained firefighters] make and that they deserve to get I think a special consideration to increase that retainer. The big problem is if they’re not remunerated properly, we won’t get other people to go into that service.”

The deputy previously advocated for appropriate remuneration at a recent Dáil discussion on the dispute.

Gathered retained firefighters reportedly walked out of the public gallery following comments made by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O’Brien, who reiterated that rates of pay for public sector employees are set by collective agreements without selectivity.

He said, “All Deputies will be familiar with public service agreements and how they work, and they all know rates of pay for public sector employees are set by collective agreements. They are put in place to ensure public service pay will be managed sustainably and in a climate of industrial peace.

“It is not within our gift to make an exception.”