FF backbenchers say party should have backed SF motion on firefighters

Government backbenchers have expressed unhappiness at the decision by the Coalition to oppose a Sinn Féin Dáil motion calling for improvements in the pay and conditions of retained firefighters.

A number of TDs and senators at the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting on Wednesday evening criticised the decision of the Government to oppose the motion.

It comes as about 2,000 retained firefighters around the country continue to stage industrial action in relation to pay and conditions.

The mostly part-time workers, who operate services outside of Ireland’s larger urban centres, are on call on a 24-hours, seven-days-a-week, basis but are not entitled to full salaries, nor paid holidays.

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The issue was raised at the meeting by Senator Timmy Dooley from Clare, who intimated the Government should not have opposed the Sinn Féin motion.

He was supported by several other parliamentarians including Minister of State Anne Rabbitte and Mr Dooley’s colleague from Clare, Cathal Crowe.

According to colleagues, Mr Dooley indicated he was frustrated that a decision on improved pay for the firefighters could not be made sooner than the standard pay negotiations.

In response, Minister for Finance Michael McGrath said no one pay claim within the public service could be treated in isolation with new pay talks having commenced.

He made a reference to Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien’s comments, saying he was committed to getting a positive outcome for retained firefighters.

In the Dáil this week, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he hoped Siptu and the Local Government Management Agency “can re-engage” to resolve the dispute.

Senator Shane Cassells made what was described as an emotional contribution on the situation at Tara Mines, where 650 people were laid off without any notification on Tuesday night.

His Meath colleague Minister of State Thomas Byrne also contributed and questioned how the decision had been made and had been communicated to the workers.

Mr Cassells added that what had happened was “a disgrace and disrespectful”.

Party leader Micheál Martin said next October’s budget needed to have a “significant increase” for people on fixed incomes including pensioners, carers and people living with a disability.

He also said a balanced taxation package would help people at all income levels.

At the Fine Gael meeting, Mr Varadkar also focused on the October budget.

He told colleagues the party had a political programme and a mission and it could increase its vote, gain seats at the next election and subsequently remain in government.