Siptu ballot for fire brigade

Siptu is to ballot its members in Dublin Fire Brigade for industrial action over plans to put the city’s ambulance service call and dispatch function under the HSE’s control.

Leo Varadkar, the health minister, has told the HSE and four local authorities in Dublin changes to the ambulance service in the capital cannot be implemented until there is “full consultation” with staff unions.

Dublin City Council confirmed on Monday night that agreement in principle had been reached between the HSE and four councils to give the National Ambulance Service (NAS) full responsibility for receiving all emergency calls in the Dublin region.