Laois Councillor slams 'abysmal' treatment of firefighters

A Laois councillor has described the treatment of retained firefighters as ‘abysmal’. 

Sinn Fein Cllr Aidan Mullins met with firefighters outside  Portarlington Fire Station earlier today. 

“I was delighted to stand and support the retained firefighters who protested outside their station in Portarlington this morning as part of their  national strike,” he said. 

“They are being treated abysmally by the Government and really taken for granted.

They put their lives at risk regularly while attending fires, road traffic accidents etc.

The protest is not all about the pay or retainer fees which range from 8,000 to 11,500 euros per annum, a derisory amount by any standards,” said Cllr Mullins. 

“They are on call 24/7 which impacts their ability to live normal lives. They can't go on day trips as they are restricted to 2.5 km from their station,” he said. 

“They can't be left alone with small children in case they get a call, they find it difficult to secure other employment and get a mortgage,” said Cllr Mullins. 

Watch: Laois Firefighters on picket line in Portlaoise

“The Portarlington station is currently understaffed with five retained firefighters and two young trainees and find it difficult to attract new recruits which won't come as a surprise to anyone,” he said. 

“The protest should be supported by the entire community and the Government, which is telling us they have billions of a surplus, need to adequately compensate our firefighters,” concluded Cllr Mullins.