Government 'underestimated' public support for retained fire service in Kilkenny

Sinn Féin TD Kathleen Funchion has welcomed that talks will resume between SIPTU and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) at the Labour Court next week following an outpouring of public support for Retained Fire Fighters’ demands for fairness on incomes and working conditions.

The Retained Fire Fighters have suspended their planned strike this week, and have deescalated industrial action to allow space for the talks, which will begin next Monday, take place.

Flash flooding possible as status orange thunderstorm warning issued in Kilkenny

Deputy Funchion added that Government TDs and Government Councillors in Carlow and Kilkenny underestimated the resolve of the Retained Fire Fighters, and the community backing they have received right across Carlow and Kilkenny, when they voted to reject Sinn Féin’s solutions to the crisis in the Dáil last week.

Teachta Funchion said that in voting to reject Sinn Féin's motion solutions to this crisis, the Government underestimated the resolve of the Retained Fire Service and the groundswell of public support they have received in Carlow and Kilkenny and right across the state.

“The Retained Fire Fighters did not want to engage in industrial action in the first place - they were forced into taking action by the arrogance and lip service paid to them by Minister Darragh O’Brien and government TDs throughout this whole process," she said.

“So it is a positive development that talks will now continue at the Labour Court and that strike action has been put on hold while those talks continue.

“The Fire Fighters have, at all times, acted in good faith in their attempts to secure commitments to address the recruitment and retention crisis, which, if left unaddressed, will lead to the total collapse of the service.

“Government TDs must start listening to them. While talks take place within the Labour Court between SIPTU and the LGMA, the reality is that the outcome of the dispute will be decided by Minister O’Brien and cabinet colleagues.

“I urge government TDs here in Carlow Kilkenny to seek an answer from Minister O’Brien on the outstanding question as to whether he will honour the recommendations of the government’s own report into the Retained Fire Service crisis.

“I also urge them to encourage Minister O’Brien to use Monday’s talks as an opportunity to reset the government approach and do the right thing by the Retained Fire Service.

“Sinn Féin will not let this slide. A Sinn Féin government would urgently intervene to increase the fixed incomes of fire fighters and increase staffing levels to build a fit-for-purpose service.”