A public demonstration will take place at Dublin City Hall at 5pm on Monday 7^th April  to protest against HSE plans to remove Dublin ambulance services from the Dublin fire brigade. IMPACT says the proposal is unnecessary given the excellent and efficient service already provided by the fire service.

The demo will be followed by an extraordinary general meeting in Liberty Hall. Firefighters will attend in uniform and all IMPACT members are being asked to support the protest, which the union has organised with Siptu.

IMPACT national secretary Peter Nolan said the Dublin ambulance service operates on less than 10% of the national service budget yet responds to 40% of calls. “That’s outstanding efficiency for a service delivered by dedicated men and women who do an excellent job. They face an uphill task every day, including the risk of assault and long delays at A&E departments,” he said.

Peter said the protest was an opportunity for firefighters, and their supporters in trade unions and the community, to express their pride in the service – and their determination that it will be maintained.