Hundreds of full-time and retained firefighters who are members of SIPTU marched to Leinster House in Dublin on Tuesday (24th February) in protest against a threatened cut in crew members for fire tenders.

SIPTU Organiser, Brendan O’Brien, told the rally that the plans by the Department of the Environment to reduce the number of firefighters in response crews by up to 33% will jeopardise the safety of firefighters and the public.

Cork fire-fighter, Noel Healy, said the 3000 members of SIPTU in the fire service are concerned about the real prospect of fire disasters if crew levels are cut to a minimum of four rather than the current standard of six.

“You have seen the likes of Priory Hall and we don’t want to be part of another Stardust. We don’t want any more firefighter deaths in Ireland. We have had enough during this decade,” he said.

Over 800 firefighters took part in the march and rally which was also addressed by Antoinette Keegan of the Stardust Families Committee who said she was alarmed that there are only two operational fire prevention officers in Dublin thirty-four years after the Artane nightclub disaster in which 48 young people lost their lives.