Marshalled List of Amendments 18 January 2016

14 January 2016

Private Members’ Business – Motions

Item 5: Order Paper 318/11-16 –  Monday 18 January 2016

Motion: Threats to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service

That this Assembly notes the crucial and lifesaving role of the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service in responding to fires, road traffic collisions, other specialist rescue incidents and in providing community safety education; expresses regret that it has not been considered a frontline service by the current Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety; further notes with concern that changes to service delivery have compromised the safety of the public and the officers who deliver the service; believes that any future changes to service delivery should not compromise further the safety of the public or the officers; further expresses deep concern at the major deterioration in attendance times over the last five years, particularly delays in the first appliance reaching high risk cases; notes that projected cuts to the Service have already resulted in up to seven stations being identified for downgrading, four other stations identified as being high risk not being upgraded, and warnings of further reduced response times; and calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to change his position and appreciate the importance of the Service so that there is no further risk to public safety. 

[Mrs J Dobson]
[Mr M McGimpsey]

The Speaker has selected the following Amendments for debate:

Amendment 1

Leave out all after ‘education;’ and insert:

‘recognises the close collaborative relationship and inter-dependent function between the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) and the Health Service; believes that this constitutes a critical frontline and support role; further believes that the cuts proposed will compromise public safety by downgrading fire stations and increasing response times, especially within rural areas, as well as compromising the safety of fire officers; and calls on the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to seek Executive approval to ring-fence the NIFRS budget consistent with its frontline service function.’

[Mr F McKinney]
[Mr G Diver]
[Mr J Dallat]

Amendment 2

Leave out all after ‘education;’ and insert:

‘considers the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS), along with the ambulance service and policing, to be a key frontline service; believes that any change to service delivery should not compromise the safety of either the public or the officers who deliver the service; further believes that staffing levels and service improvements should have a strong evidence base and be rigorously risk assessed; welcomes the 26 per cent reduction in fire service mobilisations undertaken in Northern Ireland since 2010-11 but cautions that a range of important factors specific to Northern Ireland means direct comparison should not be made with the reductions of 22 per cent in funding and 14 per cent in whole time equivalent posts made in England over that period; recognises the significant potential offered by partnership and joint working with the ambulance service and the broader health and care sector; and calls on the Minister of Health, Social Service and Public Safety to ensure the scope for such collaboration is prioritised by his Department and NIFRS; to further ensure that enhanced emergency capability is provided where need is identified in South Down and the west of the province including Enniskillen and Dungannon stations; and to ensure that any proposals for efficiency savings required by the Executive will only be considered where they do not compromise public or firefighter safety.’

[Mr A Easton]
[Mrs P Cameron]
[Mr T Buchanan]
[Mr G Middleton]

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