Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The core issue is that the people of County Kerry are worried about whether the emergency services can provide them with an adequate ambulance service. From what we have seen in recent weeks, there is no evidence to suggest people's lives are not in jeopardy. We have a problem, but it is not one that cannot be solved; however, it needs the attention of Department of Health. There are technological issues, but there are also core values and principles that need to be adhered to.

It is unacceptable that there is a language barrier when so many foreigners have come to live here and that language may pose a problem when a person seeks help. Language is even more of a problem for people living in rural areas in that different placenames can be duplicated in different regions and provinces and an ambulance may be sent to the wrong county. This is unacceptable and it needs to be rectified. We need to hear a response on how it will be done. We will keep the Minister informed if there are further infringements and we may have to return to the old system. If he wants some of his people to deal with us at local level, we would be happy to meet them, but I also suggest technology needs to be advanced in his Department.

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