Minister Browne must address concerns that fire stations are being secretly downgraded – Donna McGettigan TD and John Brady TD

Sinn Féin TDs Donna McGettigan and John Brady have called on Minister Browne to address concerns that fire stations at Shannon and Bray are being secretly downgraded.

Speaking today, McGettigan, the Sinn Féin TD for Clare, said:

“Minister James Browne has questions to answer as to why fire stations are being secretly downgraded.

“In 2013 a risk assessment said that Shannon station should have 15 firefighters. Now, despite population growth, industry growth and more flights coming through Shannon Airport, a new risk assessment says that Shannon fire station now only needs 12 firefighters.

“Having met with our local firefighters as I often do I discovered this and am absolutely shocked to learn of this decision.

“The inevitable impact of downgrading and reducing staff levels at Shannon fire station will be less protection for our community.”

Brady, the Sinn Féin TD for Wicklow, said:

“The current state of fire service cover across the state is deeply concerning, particularly in light of the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis within the retained fire service.

“Bray Fire Station, which has always operated as a two-pump fire station, has now been reduced to just one pump. This downgrade is not temporary; it has been in place for some time now.

“When I directly questioned the Chief Fire Officer on when the second pump would be reinstated, I was met with a shocking response – it won’t be.

“According to the Chief Fire Officer, Bray Fire Station will remain a one-pump station due to the implementation of the National Agreement on Pay and Conditions for the Retained Fire Service. This is completely unacceptable.

“What is even more disgraceful is that the Chief Fire Officer appears to be shifting the blame onto retained firefighters themselves. The reality is that the Labour Court recommendations, which were voted on by the retained firefighters, introduced a structured rostering system to ensure they had scheduled time off, something that was long overdue.

“Instead of hiring additional firefighters to properly implement this rostering, the response appears to be to cut services. This decision not only fails to address the recruitment and retention crisis but actively worsens the situation, putting both firefighters and the public at serious risk.

“Reducing fire cover in this way is not just an insult to the dedicated firefighters who serve our communities, it is outright dangerous.

“A one-pump fire station means longer response times, greater strain on already stretched crews, and increased risk in emergency situations. It also raises serious concerns about the ability to respond effectively to large-scale incidents, particularly as Bray continues to grow with new high-density developments. This cut by stealth is simply not acceptable, and it cannot be allowed to stand. The public deserves better, firefighters deserve better, and this failure of leadership must be urgently addressed before lives are put at risk.”