Tipperary TD Michael Lowry is calling on the Government to resolve the dispute with retained firefighters.
The TD says the Government position is wrong and unjust in respect of such personnel including over 200 working in County Tipperary.
Deputy Lowry says the firefighters are overworked and make huge sacrifices to protect communities in the county.
The TD Regional Independent TD voted against the Government in a Dáil vote last night effectively supporting a Sinn Fein motion calling for investment in the Fire Services.
SIPTU members employed as retained firefighters will begin to resign from the service in large numbers from the beginning of next week, the Government has been warned by SIPTU, the union representing the fire fighters.
“There is no sign of a breakthrough in this dispute and with all out strike action to begin on Tuesday, 20th June, which will result in the closure of all retained fire stations across the country, an increasing number of SIPTU members have made clear they are considering resigning from the service” according to the Union.
SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, says “The only action that can save this vital community resource from disaster is that the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien and the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, put their heads together and arrange for the allocation of sufficient funds to address the necessary reforms that can resolve the recruitment and retention crisis in the retained fire service.”
