Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 4

Adjournment Debate. Fire Brigade Service.

Ms Fitzgerald

I would like the Minister for Defence to clarify the kind of cover the Army is capable of providing in the event of an all-out strike by the 800 firefighters in the Dublin area, a strike which is threatened to commence from 3 June. Following a claim by PDFORRA that the logistical support units which normally provide services during strikes have been cut by 50 per cent under the Government's Defence Forces implementation plan and the statement to the effect that the Defence Forces will not be able to supply the necessary numbers, the situation is extremely serious. The public has depended on the Defence Forces in the past in crises and is entitled to depend on them in a situation such as this one.

I commend the Defence Forces for their willingness in the past to respond to emergencies. I am concerned about the serious situation which could arise on 3 June if this problem is not resolved. I urge the Minister to immediately inform the public what kind of cover the Army is able to provide. What exactly does he mean by ‘emergency cover' and how long will it take for the units to become operational? The public must be reassured that any eventuality could be catered for in the event of a strike. The fact that PDFORRA has expressed grave concern about the lack of resources is a cause for alarm.

The Dublin fire brigade service deals with 25,000 calls annually. Calls are received almost every half an hour. A total of 800 firefighters in the Dublin area provide a 24 hour, seven day per week service. It is appalling that such a serious threat is posed to services which are intended to protect life and property.

How many members of the Defence Forces are available for this work? Has training commenced and, if so, what is its nature? How many appliances will be available and where will they be based? Will safe work systems be put in place for those involved? This issue cannot be left hanging. I thank the Minister for coming into the House to respond to my questions.

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

One of the roles of the Defence Forces, as set by the Government, is to assist in connection with the maintenance of essential services. The Defence Forces have been tasked to assist where essential public services are disrupted. This has involved the provision of transport, fire brigade or engineering services.

Normally, the involvement of the Defence Forces in the provision of essential services is as a last resort when all other possible avenues have been explored. I understand that talks are still taking place in the hope of averting the industrial action. I hope these talks will be successful and I will address that issue shortly on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government.

In the event of a fire service strike proceeding, the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces has confirmed that preparations to make military personnel available to provide emergency cover are at an advanced stage. If the need arises, the Defence Forces will be in a position to provide the same level of emergency cover as on previous occasions.

Any suggestions that the Army's capacity to provide such assistance has been reduced are completely groundless. However, Deputies must bear in mind that the service provided by the Defence Forces in the event of the strike going ahead will be an emergency one only and could not possibly replicate the standard provided by the Fire Brigade Service.

In the past, the Defence Forces have responded to a variety of calls to maintain essential services. Military personnel always rise to meet the challenge with a "can do" approach. The public at large has always appreciated the assistance and efforts of the Defence Forces. Accordingly, I am somewhat bemused at the response by PDFORRA. It is frankly ludicrous to assert that the Defence Forces are not up to the job. It is particularly disheartening when such a groundless allegation is made by an organisation which purports to be concerned for the image of the Defence Forces.

I emphasise again that the Chief of Staff has assured me that the training and equipment will be available should the strike go ahead. It must be borne in mind, however, that we cannot replicate what is available but we will do everything necessary to supply emergency services should the strike go ahead. The hope is that it will not.