Kildare Live - Fire Service in the Curragh Camp, County Kildare, is under review, Department of Defence says - 23 Aug 23


Department of Defence HQ, Piercetown, Newbridge, County Kildare.

 

The fire service in the Curragh Camp is one of a number of areas under review.

A spokesperson for the Department of Defence told the Leinster Leader: "As part of the implementation of the Working Time Directive (WTD) and following consultation with the Representative Associations, Óglaigh na hÉireann is reviewing all of our current operational outputs.

"The Fire Service in the Curragh Camp is one of a number of areas under review."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The spokesperson continued: "Once the review is complete recommendations will be presented to the Minister for Defence.

"At this point no decision has been made regarding the continued operation of the Fire Service in the Curragh Camp."

Speaking on Kildare FM radio's Kildare Today programme earlier today, Independent TD Dr Cathal Berry, who previously served in the Army Ranger Wing, said that he would not be in favour of closing the station.

He also said that the main reason the station is under review is the staff crisis in the Defence Forces.

Sinn Féin TD Réada Cronin has also urged the Defence Forces not to close the station.

Ms Cronin, who is her party's spokesperson for defence matters, said that she has written to An Tánaiste asking him 'to examine, urgently, any mooted closure of the fire station at the Curragh Camp.'