Irish council staff on industrial action available for Storm Austen emergency work

Local authority staff involved in industrial action in Ireland will work as needed during Storm Austen, The Irish Times reported on 22 October. Fórsa and Siptu say their arrangements allow emergency work where the storm threatens life or wellbeing, as heavy rain and strong winds approach the country.

Met Éireann expects the storm to pass Ireland’s south coast from Thursday evening into Friday morning. Orange rain warnings cover Cork, Kerry, Waterford, Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow. The warnings concern possible flooding and difficult travel, adding urgency to councils’ preparations.

How emergency work will proceed during industrial action

Siptu said it was working with councils and other emergency-service providers to maintain services without disruption. Con Casey, a Siptu official responsible for staff at Kerry and Tipperary County Councils, said those councils had made requests for exemptions. Staff could carry out preparatory work and respond during and after the storm, including where trees fall or flooding occurs, he said.

Casey said staff may work alongside contractors and that exemptions would be granted for work directly related to the storm. The report did not establish how many staff would be called out or whether any storm-related exemptions had already taken effect.

Dublin City Council prepares for possible flooding

Dublin City Council said its flood response team was preparing for heavy rainfall and had measures in place to respond quickly if local flooding occurred. Crews were clearing fallen leaves and debris where needed, particularly in low-lying and flood-prone areas where drainage gullies can become obstructed. The council said crews would monitor conditions overnight and respond to problems that arose.

Asked about staffing, the council said it relies on a voluntary code of practice agreed with unions. The code is based on Workplace Relations Commission provisions for maintaining essential public services where disruption could endanger life or health, cause serious economic damage, or create widespread hardship or anxiety.

PA Media reported that the first orange warning runs from 10pm Thursday to 5am Friday in Cork, Kerry and Waterford. A second runs from 2am to 8am Friday in Dublin, Wexford and Wicklow. A nationwide yellow warning for wind and rain runs from 7pm Thursday to 10am Friday. Met Éireann warned of disruption to public transport and outdoor events, as well as possible fallen trees.

The staffing arrangements add a response plan to the previously announced storm warnings. The earlier NewsJaws report on Met Éireann’s orange rain warnings covers the forecast for the six counties.