There is a recruitment and retention crisis within the retained fire service, a service that is simply not fit for purpose. The strain of being on call 24-7 in understaffed fire stations has morale on the ground. The situation is putting at risk the safety of both firefighters and members of the public. Failure is to address the issues within the retained service has resulted in firefighters having to serve two weeks' notice of their intent to ballot for industrial strike action. This is not a matter for local authorities. This is a failure of Government policy in relation to the retained service. What is the Taoiseach going to do to stop that strike going ahead and fix the crisis that is ongoing right across the State within the retained fire service?

First, I pay tribute to the retained fire service generally.

I saw it at first hand with the retained fire service units in Donegal who behaved in a most courageous and challenging way in the recent Creeslough accident and tragedy. I have spoken to the Minister in relation to the broader system, with a preliminary discussion in terms of the broader system. That will take some time but it is an issue we do have to examine.