Representatives from the NIFRS board and fire were among those to talk with the Minister at the Service’s headquarters in Lisburn in as part of his province-wide consultation.
The Minister said: “Frontline fire service staff make a real difference to people’s lives. I want to hear at first hand from the people who deliver vital public safety and life-saving services to our population, what resources they need to do their job properly and deliver a world class service.
“I don’t want to just focus on the problems, I want to know how they think we can fix the problems and build and share examples of good practice.
“There has been considerable debate about the draft budget in the Assembly. It is right and important that the draft budget is discussed openly. I will continue to fight for more funds and make no apology for that – I would be failing in my role as Public Safety Minister if I did not stand up for the fire service.”
The Minister has also met with staff from the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service and from health and social care trusts in the run-up to Christmas, hearing from staff involved in different areas of the health service, such as primary and community care; mental health and learning disability; and children and elderly services.
He added: “The consultation period for the draft budget will close on 4 January 2008. People in Northern Ireland deserve the best fire service possible but I cannot deliver it on my own. Everyone must respond to the consultation and make their views known about the importance of the fire service to them, their families and the future generation.”
Notes to Editors:
- More information on the Draft Budget consultation can be found at www.pfgbudgetni.gov.uk/
- Press enquiries to the DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074, or out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned
