CLARE’S two Independent TDs spoke in support of firefighters in the Dáil this week, urging Government to address their issues.
A group of Clare firefighters recently voted in favour of industrial action and Deputy Violet Anne Wynne said that there are real problems facing people in the service.
“I spoke to a representative from SIPTU today on this issue and they painted a picture of the seriousness of the situation which is beyond bleak – the word “dangerous” would be more apt.
“Firefighters are heroes and national treasures. That is especially apparent in rural communities such as in my constituency of Clare. They are often the first responders and play a vital role in keeping our people safe.
“In recent years the job has not been attractive enough. We know that 60% are planning to leave and I would say that most are staying due to the loyalty they have to the service and to each other.”
Ms Wynne added, “They have been waiting for recommendations from the national review to be published for progress and for meaningful engagement. It is shocking that this has not been done.
They have so much uncertainty with their pay that they cannot get a mortgage. That is mind blowing.
“The Minister should recognise and hear their difficulties and, more importantly, react and respond appropriately.
“I ask him to give definitive timelines on the national review recommendations. I ask him to commit that there will be no more waiting.”
Deputy Michael McNamara also paid tribute to Clare’s firefighters, but said how they are treated needs to change.
“To add to what my constituency colleague has said, in addition to their loyalty to their group, there is a tremendous sense of loyalty to their local community and the community has a sense of loyalty to the fire service.
“Not many people in Clare even realise that there is only one full-time fire officer in County Clare and everybody else is part time, with the vast majority of them retained firefighters.
“There is an increasing professionalisation and it is increasingly difficult to get a mortgage. What worked very well up to recently is no longer working.”
The Scariff man said that a full time service could not be maintained, but that the current model doesn’t work either.
“Could the State afford to provide the level of fire cover that we have now if everybody was to be paid on a full-time basis? I think the answer is clearly “No”.
“The nearest full-time fire service to County Clare is in Limerick city. I do not think the State could shoulder the enormous cost of the expansion in the service that would be required to cover all of County Clare.
“However, the status quo is equally unaffordable because people are not joining the fire service to the extent that this is becoming dangerous. Either way, the status quo is not sustainable nor is a full-time fire service.”
He said that proper discussions around the issues faced are required.
“I ask the Minister of State to engage with the management of fire services, rural fire services, retained fire services across the country and also their representatives in the trade union movement. The matter needs to be resolved. There was previously an issue.
“The former Minister, Joan Burton, was regularly criticised by Sinn Féin and perhaps by the Minister of State, but she did engage with the issue and she found a solution to the issue when there was a problem with retained firefighters and whether they qualified for social welfare benefit or assistance.
“That was ironed out and I believe the problems that exist now can be ironed out with the political will.
“The Government has the numbers to win the vote regardless. I ask the Government to engage with firefighters to bring about a solution.”
Owen Ryan has been a journalist with the Clare Champion since 2007, having previously worked with a number of other publications in Limerick, Cork and Galway. His first book will be published in December 2024.