The North’s Acting Chief Fire Officer Peter Craig has warned Stormont’s Finance Directorate in a letter that the savings which are envisaged would mean cuts in front-line services.

“I must advise you in the strongest terms possible that the levels of efficiencies that are anticipated as part of this financial exercise cannot be achieved without having a significant and detrimental effect on Front line Services,” warned Mr. Craig.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union in Derry say that the cuts outlined in the letter would almost certainly lead to the closure of either the Northland Road or Crescent Link stations.

Fire Service chiefs had been asked to estimate the effects of a projected cut of more than 20 percent in the annual budget. “The majority of NI Fire and Rescue Service expenditure is on staffing costs, most of which are associated with Front Lines Services”, Mr. Craig replied.

He continued: “To achieve up to 25 percent efficiency savings, NIFRS would be forced to consider a reduction in its workforce of some 150 staff and the closure of at least two whole-time crewed fire stations, coupled to the downgrading of fire and emergency cover in at least six other whole-time crewed fire stations. The detrimental impact of such an efficiency programme upon frontline services would be province-wide…”

Mr. Craig warned that a cuts programme on anything like this scale would face “vehement opposition from trades unions” and significant opposition from local communities and their political representatives.

No firm decision has been made to impose the cuts outlined by Mr. Craig. However, the letter makes it clear that fire service management at the highest level are seriously concerned at what could be coming down the line from Stormont.

The People Before Profit Alliance welcomes the reversal of the decision to drastically curtail the Derry-Dublin bus service. Following the revelation of a plan to

Derry students take to the streets to save The Educatiothe packedn Maintenance Allowance (EMA)and resist cutbacks

Today, Friday 10 December 2010, saw another magnificent protest by the school students of Derry to Save EMA.

At 11.30 am over 1000 students across Derry walked out of their schools. Many of the students risked suspension or other punishment from their schools for doing so.

Each school marched to Guildhall Square. There they heard speeches from representatives from several schools, including Micheál Kelly, a student at St Columb’s.

They then set off again on a march right into Derry city centre.

Students filled the whole length of Shipquay Street from the Diamond to Guildhall Square. Cars pulled to the side and drivers beeped their horns in support as pedestrians stopped and applauded.

Derry School Students Bring City To A Standstill

The march stopped at St Columb’s Hall, right between the Foyleside and Richmond shopping centres.

The students had now brought the whole city centre to a standstill.

The packed streets responded to more speeches from school representatives with mass cheering and chanting of “EMA! EMA! EMA! EMA!”