Talks on legal fears of emergency staff

The Department of Transport has offered to meet firefighters and other emergency personnel to hear their concerns about road traffic laws.

This follows questions by SIPTU about the strict application of road traffic laws after it emerged that such drivers had been charged with dangerous or reckless driving offences.

Fire brigade, ambulance and Garda drivers are exempted from speeding regulations while driving in the course of duty. They are also exempted from wearing seatbelts.

However, firefighters have said if an accident occurs as a result of breaking a red light or driving on a footpath, the driver could still be held accountable, and could be charged or even subjected to civil actions.

"It's a huge anomaly," said Mr Brian Murray, chairman of SIPTU's national firefighters committee. Strict compliance with the Road Traffic Act should not be demanded from firefighters and ambulance personnel in emergency situations.

SIPTU members were so concerned about the "bizarre interpretation of the law" that they were even prepared to consider industrial action.

"While firefighters have no wish to cause hardship or inconvenience to the general public, they say they cannot be continually exposed to driving charges and civil litigation claims simply for trying to provide an emergency services in an effective and efficient manner."

He said such drivers should be issued with special "emergency" licences so that their own driving licences were not affected by their hazardous work.

A spokeswoman for the Department of Transport noted the exemptions already in place for emergency personnel. She said Department officials would be happy to discuss these issues with driver representatives.

Mr Murray said SIPTU was anxious to meet with the Department, and it was essential that such meetings were held quickly.