Ar dtús, I also extend my sympathies to the family of Christy Dignam and his many friends. He transcended music. He was a national treasure. I think I first saw him in Horan's Hotel on a tour in 1986. His talking may now be over but his talent and his crowd will live on.

I raise the disappointment, frustration and frankly the anger felt by retained fire fighters at the Government's handling of the recruitment and retention crisis within the fire service. Last night, Sinn Féin brought a motion to resolve this crisis and many fire fighters travelled to the Dáil to listen to the debate, hopeful that the Minister would see sense. Following his contribution, the Government and the Minister, Deputy O'Brien, received their response when dozens of retained fire fighters stood up and walked out. There is a real feeling that the Minister has opted to condemn the retained fire service with dismissive comments and at this point, it would take an extraordinary gesture to prevent a full-scale strike from next week across the State. Will the Taoiseach review the response last night and the lip service and act immediately to bring an end to the crisis before it is too late?

I have no doubt that this dispute can be resolved satisfactorily. All industrial relations disputes are resolved in the end. However, as I said yesterday in the House, all of us must adhere to and honour the agreements we have made. The Government has an agreement with the trade unions in relation to public sector pay. That agreement runs until the end of this year. It was voted on by trade union members. We will honour our side of the deal and we expect them to honour their side of the deal. There is room for compromise and for resolution but it has to be in the confines of everyone honouring the agreements they have made. An intervention from the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, is a possibility if there is willingness to accept those principles on both sides.