Management and unions representing staff at Dublin Fire Brigade are to hold talks at the Labour Relations Commission (LRC) on Friday in a row over new safety procedures for fuel tankers using the Dublin Port Tunnel.
It is understood the fire service has proposed that staff should drive four-wheel-drive vehicles into the tunnel to escort convoys of six to eight fuel tankers as part of a new safety initiative.
Earlier this year, the Fire Brigade expressed concern to the National Roads Authority about petrol tankers using the tunnel.
Under new proposals aimed at dealing with these concerns, fuel tankers would be separated from general traffic in the tunnel and escorted in groups by fire service personnel.
It was reported yesterday the escort vehicles would be manned by one firefighter carrying dry powder for use in the event of an accident.
However, unions have expressed concern at the plan on grounds of safety and staffing.
The trade unions Impact and Siptu are to meet with management of the Dublin Fire Brigade and Dublin City Council for mediation talks on Friday.
Impact said yesterday that it was "firmly opposed" to the introduction of a fuel vehicle escort service in the port tunnel.
It said that at the LRC talks it would be asking the chief fire officer what had prompted the new procedures for fuel tankers using the tunnel.
"Fire services do not provide any form of vehicle escort, and in this instance, Impact does not feel that the escort proposal provides the level of safety required.
"The vehicle escort is not designed to cope with major incidents. Rather, it is only designed to address minor incidents, such as tyre-bursts and brake overheating. Under EU regulations, fuel truck drivers are already required to be trained to address such incidents," the union said.
Impact said that, to date, no consultation had taken place on the introduction of the proposed fuel vehicle escort.
"It is a matter of grave concern, both in terms of workplace safety and how it reflects on the existing safety audit of the fire procedures at the port tunnel," it said.
A spokeswoman for Dublin City Council declined to comment on the issue.