Cost savings plan to be drawn up as fire stations decision deferred

The three fire stations in Offaly under threat of closure have been granted a reprieve by Offaly County Council until September. The last-minute pardon came at Monday's council meeting, despite the council's director of services recommending that the fire service plan should be adopted, which the council eventually voted against. In his report, Director of Services Frank Heslin said that no cost savings had been agreed on with the unions representing firemen locally and that therefore Daingean, Banagher and Kilcormac fire stations would close as part of the council's cost-cutting fire service plan. However, Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council Noel Bourke (FF), told the meeting that he had met with a group of firemen, including the shop steward, last week to discuss the situation. Cllr Bourke said that he had outlined the seriousness of the situation to the group and told them unless a plan detailing cost savings was submitted to the council before Monday's meeting, then it was likely that the threatened stations would close. Union members agreed that they would submit a document detailing any savings introduced already. The Director of Service however, disagreed with many of the items set out in the document. Cllr Bourke argued that the document "formed a basis for discussion" and urged all parties to proceed on that basis. Other councillors added their opinions to the meeting and it was then adjourned for 30 minutes to allow the council members to confer with their party colleagues on the matter. The council then decided that both sides would engage in further discussion and if necessary, a third party would be engaged to act as a conciliator between the two groups. Cllr Bourke is urging all parties concerned to do everything necessary to try and bring about a satisfactory outcome to the talks. "I am very anxious to see Daingean station remain open, as it is necessary because of the geographical spread of the North Offaly area and the fact that the Edenderry station also serves that Carbury and Derrinturn areas of Kildare and sometimes further afield," he added. The future of the stations will now be discussed again in September's meeting of Offaly County Council.