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07 Sept 2025

Longford TD says 'retained firefighters dispute should not be let fester'

Deputy Joe Flaherty: Firefighters perform a hugely important service, particularly in rural Ireland

Longford TD says 'retained firefighters dispute should not be let fester'

Deputy Joe Flaherty: Firefighters perform a hugely important service, particularly in rural Ireland

Reporter:

Longford Leader reporter

17 Oct 2024 2:18 PM

Email:

newsroom@longfordleader.ie

Fianna Fáil TD Joe Flaherty has said the retained firefighters dispute must be urgently resolved.
The Longford TD said these extremely valued employees’ pay dispute should not be let fester and dragged out any longer.
Speaking in the Dáil on Wednesday Deputy Flaherty said: “Our retained firefighters came off the picket line recently in anticipation of a decent financial resolution to their claim. They set great faith in our commitments to them. But it’s fair to say they’re less than enthused by discussions at the WRC.
“As it stands the offer to them is €750, derisory, no more than €14 a week. I’ve met several of the retained firefighters over recent days and whilst their union has pitched their claim at €10,000 per annum, I do feel there is a sweet spot of about €5,000, or €100 per week.
“It's important that this situation isn’t let fester and be dragged out.
"These firefighters perform a hugely important service, particularly in rural Ireland. We need to do right by these extremely valued employees, recognise their work and duly reward their efforts in often dangerous and life-threatening situations." 
Minister Paschal Donohoe, in response, said he agreed with Deputy Flaherty that retained firefighters undertake dangerous and difficult work and that he understood that in their absence that communities, such as Longford, do not get the support and safety they need.  
“Minister Darragh O’Brien has put huge effort into trying to get this issue resolved. It’s in a WRC process at the moment. I think it’s best that that is the way the issue is dealt with," Minister Donohoe said.  
“I would say we have full time firefighters that are not retained and we need to be aware of fairness to them in terms of pay and conditions as well. I know Minister O’Brien and colleagues of mine in the Department are working to see if we can get this long running issue resolved.”

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