TÓIBÍN PRAISES RETAINED FIREFIGHTERS' 'DETERMINATION AND BRAVERY' FOLLOWING DISPUTE RESOLUTION

Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín TD has welcomed news retained firefighters have accepted a WRC proposal that will mean improved pay for workers who put their lives at risk for their safety of their communities and has praised the determination and bravery of firefighters who only ever wanted a fair deal.

The Meath West TD said:

“Aontú reps from across the country stood by our retained firefighters in their demands for fair pay and conditions since this dispute began, and we are delighted today that a deal has been accepted by SIPTU proposed by the WRC.

It will mean new recruits will enter the service with guaranteed minimum earnings of just over €18,000 and guaranteed earnings for firefighters with more than eight years of service will be over €21,000. This is only fair given the risks these firefighters are taking in serving their communities.

Government Ministers had earned 22 times the salary of someone who had such a dangerous role and served their communities with bravery and now at least there will be a fair deal for these outstanding public sector heroes.

The Government had even sought during this dispute to remove social welfare from those engaged in lawful industrial action, such has been their abhorrent attitudes to those who give so much.

I hope that the victory today by retained firefighters will send a message to Ministers that fair pay and conditions for these workers is their basic duty and that they should be engaging with other disputing workers to ensure that no-one has to battle for conditions that reflect in a small way the positive impact their have in our communities.”

The Irish political system is radically broken

In Ireland the vast majority of elected representatives put a finger in the air to check which way the political wind is blowing. They have one eye on their leaders – seeking brownie points – and another eye keeping their seat safe. If elected reps shut up and do as they’re told, they are promoted; if they stand up for what they believe in, they are demoted. No wonder we have the political class we have. No wonder one point one billion euro is being buried in a hole under the National Children’s Hospital and that Stormont is in stalemate.

Throughout Ireland, many people are now afraid to say what they feel, many are afraid to respectfully engage on a range of different topics. Many feel there is a new censorship and a new political correctness in Ireland, that opposition to the establishment is being deleted.

Respectful opposition is not the enemy. Respectful opposition is a critical element of a functional democracy. Aontú will have the backbone to stand up, without fear, for you.