Varadkar met by picket line of SIPTU Retained Fire Fighters
Unsuspecting shoppers in Dunleer did a double take this morning when Taoiseach Leo Varadkar came bounding down the main street stopping off at the St. Vincent de Paul Shop, popping into Hand’s Butchers, the Post Office and elsewhere.
The Taoiseach was accompanied on his whistle stop tour of the Mid Louth town by MEP Colm Markey, Councillor Dolores Minogue and the Chair of Louth County Council, Councillor Paula Butterly.
During their walkabout they were also met at gates of the Market House in Dunleer by a SIPTU picket line of retained fire fighters who are taking part in industrial action nationwide seeking better conditions of emplyment
Speaking at the start of a day’s engagements in Mid Louth, the Taoiseach said: “It is great to be in Louth today to meet with business people and traders in Dunleer and Ardee with Colm Markey MEP.
“The Government is prioritising balanced regional development and I am looking forward to meeting the community here who are vital partners in that effort, providing local employment opportunities and helping to ensure Louth is a vibrant thriving county.
“I also look forward to meeting with volunteers at the fantastic DeeHub Youth Café, who are providing vital services to local young people, adults and families.”
When the entourage arrived they were met at the gates by a picket of 20 or so striking fire fighters who he engaged in conversation without making any promises.
SIPTU spokesperson Lorcan Conlon from Ardee Fire Station told Drogheda Life that the dispute is about an ongoing issue in the fire service which he said is preventing recruitment to the service.
“We are on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week” he said. The commitment to the community that we have is unparalleled in any other emergency service – or any other job in the country for that matter.
“We must remain within five minutes of the fire station at all times. Do you remember during Covid everyone was going mad because they couldn’t travel more than five kilometres from their homes? That’s what we live with every day.”
He explained that fire fighters get just 28 days off during the year and the rest if he time they are on call.
“The time has come for reform, we need increased crew numbers to allow people to get time off” he concluded.
MEP Colm Markey said he was delighted to invite theTaoiseach to visit his home county of Louth and interact with traders, local businesses, social enterprises and community organisations in the vibrant towns of Ardee and Dunleer.
“This important invitation seeks to provide an invaluable opportunity for the Taoiseach to gain first-hand insights into the region’s needs, aspirations, and challenges faced by the community in Louth” he said.
“The visit is an opportunity for Louth residents to directly communicate their expectations and aspirations to the Taoiseach and myself which is particularly important given the run up to Budget 2024 in a number of months.”
The Taoiseach also travelled on to Ardee where he was due to meet with members of the Ardee Traders and Business Association to understand the challenges they face, explore opportunities for growth, and seek ways to improve the overall business environment in the region.
