An action group comprising residents from the three areas met in Kilcormac last week and examined the rescue plans from the Fianna Fáil group which were put forward as an alternative to the closure of the stations.

As a result of the meeting the action group released a statement which recognised that there were a number of good points in the proposal to cut the costs.

However the statement added that the group felt that the proposal that Fire Stations work with a five man crew were not feasible.

According to the group, the requirement for Health and Safety is that a minimum of six fire fighters attend to every call and the group added that this would mean that every fire fighter would need to be available at all times around the clock.

The action group also stated that the proposal for fire fighters from Tullamore, Edenderry or Birr on a roster basis would not work due to the time it would take to travel.

"The group want to state that we need eight persons in each station to ensure the safety of the fire fighters and a good service to the community," the statement concluded.

Asked to comment, Cllr Peter Ormond, who put forward the proposals for the Fianna Fáil group, said they were studying the comments and would meet this week with Director of Services Frank Heslin and Chief Fire Officer Eoin O'Ceilleachair.

Meanwhile Independent Cllr John Leahy said he would be issuing a letter to Mr Heslin, Mr O'Ceilleachair and the remaining 20 Offaly County Councillors stating that if the proposal to close Banagher, Daingean and Kilcormac Fire Stations is adopted, it would cost €500,000 something he says was not outlined by the Director of Services when he briefed the 21 Councillors on the matter in October.

After consulting with the three town committees, the National Retained Fire Fighters Association, in particular James Farrell, Cllr Leahy expressed his disappointment that Offaly County Council presented a plan to make cuts that he claims did not make an accurate assessment of what the repercussions would be for the three communities, the 11 fire fighters losing their jobs and the financial cost to replace the three stations, as a full emergency service would still have to be made available to the three areas.

In estimating the cost increase, Cllr Leahy, using Kilcormac as an example said that the cost of a standard one hour call for a chimney fire would increase from €352 to €1,310 which included travelling time to and from the call.