Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach said earlier to Deputy Canney that he will not wash his hands of the people of Galway. That is great news. However, the Government has washed its hands of retained firefighters in this country. I question its commitment to them. Retained firefighters had to return yesterday to the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, because of the failure by the Government to deliver the commitments it gave. The offer it put on the table is a pittance and an insult to the retained firefighters who put their lives at risk for us every day of the week. Why is the Government forcing them to go back looking for the money it promised them? It is going to force them back out on the picket line. They had massive support on the previous occasion and I guarantee that support is still there. I urge the Government to be very careful not to push things too far. We learned yesterday that 72% of family carers are looking for a commitment on respite. What is the Government's intentions for firefighters?

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