Five of Donegal's 15 fire brigades will be on strike on any one day this week

Five of Donegal's 15 fire brigades will be on strike on any day between tomorrow and Monday next,

The firefighters, who work part-time, decided on the action following a ballot in favour of industrial action in a dispute over pay, recruitment and staffing levels.

Phase 1 of the industrial action taken nationally by retained firefighters for the period from Tuesday last, June 6 until today, June 12 was internal to the fire service and had no impact on service delivery. 

Phase 2 of the industrial action will run from tomorrow, June 13 to Monday next, June 19 and will consist of a series of rolling strikes across the country.

In this county five of the 15 brigades will be on strike on any one day of Phase 2 with different brigades being on strike on different days. The strike will commence each day at 00.00 hours and end at 24.00 hours. 

The strikes will have an impact on service delivery and as decided nationally, the brigades that are on strike on any given day will be alerted by the Western Regional Communications Centre as per normal practice simultaneously with the next brigade on the Pre-Determined Attendance. This will ensure that a fire brigade will respond to requests for assistance by members of the public.

Donegal County Fire Service management has met and will continue to meet with SIPTU, who are representing retained firefighters, to discuss local operational matters. The Local Government Management Agency continues to act on behalf of all local authorities.

One councillor, independent Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig said it was vitally important that the Government met the demands of the firefighters and recalled how on several occasions during fire incidents in West Donegal, these same firefighters saved lives and property.

"I would call on the State to immediately clear this matter up and make sure our firefighters are properly looked after," he said.