Plans by North Tipperary County Council to close a fire station in a village experiencing substantial housing development have been criticised by fire-fighting staff and local politicians.
Failure by council officials to back down on the plan to close the station in Cloughjordan, with the loss of eight jobs, could result in councillors rejecting the council's 2005 budget when they meet for their annual estimates meeting in Nenagh next Monday.
The vote of Cloughjordan- based Fianna Fáil councillor Mr Jim Casey will be crucial, but he has told the county manager, Mr Terry O Niadh, that he would have "difficulty" with the budget proposals if the executive did not back down on its plans.
The council's director of emergency services Mr Karl Cashen confirmed that talks were planned with union representatives with a view to shutting the station in 2005. "We have seven fire stations in the county, which is a very high number in relation to the population that we serve."
He pointed out that the station in Borrisokane was only 6½ miles from Cloughjordan, which only had a population of just over 430. There were other villages with bigger populations that did not have a locally-based service. Mr Cashen confirmed that a severance package would have to be discussed for the eight fire-fighters.
The Cloughjordan sub-station officer, Mr Edward Troy, said concerted efforts had been going on for years to run down the station. "If they [ council officials] come out here, they will be told where to stick their severance package."
Independent councillor Mr Michael O'Meara said the station answered 57 calls so far this year - an increase of 300 per cent in four years.
Fine Gael's councillor, Mr Ger Darcy, pointed out that up to 80 houses had been built in Cloughjordan in the last two years, with 130 more planned as part of Ireland's first eco-village, earmarked for a site in the locality.
Both councillors Darcy and O'Meara said they would oppose the council's budget proposals if the council executive did not back down.