Donegal Sinn Féin TDs Pádraig MacLochlainn and Pearse Doherty have welcomed talks resuming between SIPTU and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) at the Labour Court next week.
The talks come after an outpouring of public support for retained firefighters’ demands for fairness on incomes and working conditions.
They have suspended their planned strike this week, and have deescalated industrial action to allow space for the talks, which will begin next Monday, to take place.
Deputies MacLochlainn and Doherty added that the government underestimated the resolve of the retained firefighters and the community backing they have received right across Donegal when they voted to reject Sinn Féin’s solutions to the crisis in the Dáil last week.
Deputy MacLochlainn said: “In voting to reject our motion offering solutions to this crisis, the government underestimated the resolve of the retained fire service and the groundswell of public support they have received in Donegal and right across the state.
“It is therefore a positive development that talks will now continue at the Labour Court and that strike action has been delayed while those talks continue.
“The retained firefighters did not want to engage in industrial action in the first place – they were forced into taking action by the arrogance of Minister O’Brien and government TDs throughout this entire process.
“The firefighters have – at all times – acted in good faith in their attempts to secure commitments to address the recruitment and retention crisis that will lead to the total collapse of the service if left unaddressed.”
Deputy Doherty added: “Talks will take place within the Labour Court between SIPTU and the LGMA but the reality is that the outcome of the dispute will be decided by Minister O’Brien and his cabinet colleagues.
“I urge government TDs to seek an answer from Minister O’Brien on the question as to whether he will honour the recommendations of the government’s own report into the crisis in the retained fire service.”
