Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow and Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), John Brady, has accused the Government of attempting to gaslight retained firefighters after a Fine Gael Senator publicly called for the retirement age to be extended, despite the Government continuing to force experienced firefighters out of the service.
Deputy Brady reiterated his call for immediate action to prevent highly qualified members of the retained fire service from being forced into mandatory retirement at the age of 62.
Teachta Brady said:
“Fine Gael running a video calling on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to let retained firefighters remain in service until 66 is a bit like a driver complaining about the direction of a bus, while sitting behind the wheel.
“Fine Gael are part of the government.
“If they support the change, they should stop calling for action and start delivering it.
“It is doubly remarkable to see Fine Gael now attempting to present itself as the champion of retained firefighters after years of ignoring repeated warnings about the recruitment and retention crisis.
“Retained firefighters do not need more carefully produced social media videos or sympathetic soundbites.
“They need Government action.
“We have heard enough spin. Less of the gaslighting videos, and more action.
“I recently met with retained firefighters and SIPTU representatives who outlined the very real consequences of forcing experienced firefighters into retirement at 62 while stations across the country remain critically understaffed.
“Retained firefighters have already endured years of uncertainty, poor conditions and chronic understaffing.
“Stations across the state continue to struggle to recruit and retain firefighters, with staffing levels remaining dangerously low in many areas.
“Against that backdrop, it is beyond belief that long-serving retained firefighters, many with decades of invaluable operational experience, continue to face mandatory retirement at 62 despite being fully capable of continuing to serve.
“There is already an annual medical assessment process in place to ensure firefighters are medically fit to continue serving.
“This is an immediate issue requiring immediate Government action, as firefighters continue to face compulsory retirement.
“The Government should stop pretending it agrees with extending the retirement age while allowing these retirements to continue.
“It must immediately take action to prevent experienced retained firefighters from being forced out of the service while the wider recruitment and retention crisis remains unresolved.
“The Government must also bring forward a permanent measure extending the retirement age for retained firefighters in line with the State pension age of 66.
“It is completely unacceptable that highly trained and experienced firefighters are being forced to retire against their will at 62, only to find themselves relying on unemployment supports for four years before qualifying for the State pension.
“That makes absolutely no sense.
“The Government cannot continue saying one thing while doing another.
“If it genuinely supports extending the retirement age, it has the power to act today.
“Retained firefighters deserve action, not political gaslighting.”
ENDS