Allister visits Portadown fire station
09 April 2009
TUV MEP has met fire fighters in Portadown to discuss the impact of attempts to remove the British opt-out from the Working Time Directive.
Mr Allister said:
“As the only MEP from Northern Ireland to speak in the debate on the future of the British opt-out from the Working Time Directive, I have a track record on this issue. Today I heard first hand about the impact its removal would have upon our fire service. Given the service’s dependency upon retained firemen, it will have particularly stark consequences for the service. If the opt-out goes, the fire service’s reliance upon retained firemen will be wiped out because it will be made too expensive.
“Control of working hours should be left to national governments. We should not be dictated to on this matter by Brussels. If other European countries want to bring in legislation then let them do so. But it is none of their business what goes on within the United Kingdom!”
Moving on to the work of the fire service Mr Allister said:
“I was very impressed by what I saw and heard today at the station. The fire service demands the admiration of all of us as they are prepared to put their lives on the line. This is something for which the community throughout Northern Ireland should be grateful.”
David Nichol, Regional Representative of the Fire Brigades' Union (FBU), welcomed the ongoing support and visit of Jim Allister MEP to Portadown Fire Station.
Mr Nichol explained that the vast majority of Fire Stations like Portadown would be adversely affected if the proposed amendments to the Working Time Directive allowed no derogation (opt out) for the Fire Service.
"Should the proposed legislation remain in its current form no fire fighter whole time/full-time or retained/part-time would be able to work more than 48 hours each week.
"All of our fire fighters provide a first class professional service, retained fire fighters leaving their full-time occupations and their families 365 days a year to serve our Community and should the proposed amendments to the Working Time Directive stand in its current form this would no longer be legal.
"I do not believe that in the current financial climate there would be a likelihood of sufficient funds to allow the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service to address this issue should no derogation be agreed".
