'We'll have two beepers on the dinner table this Christmas — and hopefully three next year'

'Twas the nightshift before Christmas... Martha Brennan talks to volunteers and employees about being on call over the festive period 

On-call this Christmas: Karen and Luke Sweeney next to the Elizabeth and Ronald lifeboat in the Harbour at Dunmore East, Co Waterford. Picture Dan Linehan

Thousands of essential workers across the country will once again miss out on Christmas this year in order to make sure the country stays running. We talk to some of them about being on call during the festive season.

Always on call