Both unions involved in the Dublin City fire brigade dispute and the senior management of Dublin City Council held a meeting today in an effort to avoid industrial action. 

Arising from those discussions, which were facilitated by the Lord Mayor, both SIPTU and IMPACT will enter into an independent process, chaired by the former Director General of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) Kieran Mulvey.

As a result, both unions have agreed to a request by the Lord Mayor to defer the planned industrial action.

This process will address the unions’ concerns with regard to the delivery of the Dublin Fire Brigade Fire Based Emergency Medical Service. The management of Dublin City Council has also given an "unequivocal commitment" that this process will be the sole and singular forum for consideration of all of these issues.

Last month, SIPTU Sector Organiser, Brendan O’Brien said members' primary concern in the dispute is the well-being of "those they are called to assist in emergency situations.”