Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Ambulances cover vast geographical areas and unfortunately, because of the practices which have grown, ambulances must wait for patients to be seen before they can be released for duty.

The revelation in the programme which showed high-powered vehicles purchased at great expense by the HSE being parked up must be investigated. It was a source of annoyance for the ambulance staff themselves. I welcome the commitment made on intermediate vehicles which will help. The staff are doing an outstanding job.

It never fails to surprise me that Fianna Fáil consistently uses its Private Members' motions to remind the people of the mess it left after it, and the way it devastated the health service. It is a great pity Fianna Fáil Deputies do not have a chat with their research office; rather than tabling motions which remind people of the mess they left they should use their Private Members' time to suggest something constructive. It gives us an opportunity to remind Fianna Fáil-----

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