The Labour Court recommended that North Tipperary County Council agree to a temporary third Senior Assistant Chief Fire Officer post after a claim by the Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union. The recommendation was signed on 2 July 2007. The union argued that the fire service’s distinct functions, including building control, justified a third post. The council said two posts were sufficient for an authority of its size and structure. The Court said the union’s claim was not unreasonable and recommended the temporary appointment. When one of the three postholders leaves, the post should not be filled, returning the agreed number to two.