“I’m calling on Darragh O’Brien to cop himself on,” Call for intervention in firefighters strike

Councillor Jim Ryan has said the treatment of Tipperary’s firefighters by the Government is a “disgrace.”

At Monday’s Tipperary County Council meeting, the Thurles councillor queried what plans are in place for the industrial action.

He also called on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O’Brien to intervene to prevent an escalation of the dispute.

“It’s disgraceful the way we treat our brave fire services here in Tipperary and across the country.

“I’m calling for Minister Darragh O’Brien to cop himself on,” said Cllr Ryan.

He emphasised that he does not blame the Council but the Government for the ongoing action.

At this point in the meeting, Tipperary County Council Chief Executive Joe MacGrath intervened saying the issue is “very sensitive”.

He said there was no motion before the council regarding fire services and asked the councillor to stick to his query on contingency plans.

“I am asking you not to get involved in an industrial relations dispute.

“We have no issue with local fire services. We hold them in high regard, “ said Mr MacGrath.

However, Carrick-On-Suir councillor David Dunne said he was told such a motion would not be allowed. To which the Chief Executive replied: “I’m not letting this discussion go any further.”

Retained firefighters are striking for better working conditions and a resolution to the recruitment and retention crisis in the industry.

Chief Fire Officer David Carroll said the strikes had not had a ‘material impact’ yet.

He said rolling strikes will see half of the county’s stations “effectively switched off.”

Tipperary County Council are in touch with the strike committee in regard to which stations are closing.

“I’m satisfied that in Tipperary, we are doing everything that can be done. It’s a very evolving situation,” Mr Carroll.

Cllr Jim Ryan asked what will happen in the event of an all-out strike. To which Mr Carroll answered: “We are not there yet”.

But if it did, he said all life-threatening incidents would be answered.

County Cathaoirleach Roger Kennedy reiterated that this is a national issue, and not a Tipperary County Council dispute.