Mr. Paul P. Bell:

The data presented are sourced from ambulance authorities and government websites. Irish ambulance service professionals are committed to service of the public. While the debate on performance indicators continues to rage in our neighbouring jurisdictions following the outcome of the Mid-Staffordshire NHS Foundation Trust investigations, which determined that clinical and patient outcome became secondary to time targets or time-measured key performance indicators, our members will continue to strive to meet the HIQA time response recommendations.

As I set out in my opening remarks, SIPTU, as the recognised representative organisation within the HSE National Ambulance Service and Dublin Fire Brigade Ambulance Service, wishes to work towards a position whereby public confidence is restored to this vital front-line service and to restore morale among the professionals committed to providing this dynamic and evolving service. The first steps can be taken today by this Oireachtas committee, working in partnership with all stakeholders committed to achieving the highest standards. As the oversight body charged with the oversight of the health service, HIQA should be invited to participate in this process having initially set the key performance indicators for emergency ambulance services. As stated, HIQA is due to commence a review of the ambulance service and we believe it should be made known to the committee and the public. As the key statutory regulator and licensing authority for all ambulance professionals and services, the PHECC should be invited to participate in the process and any subsequent review aimed at bringing the State's ambulance services to best international standard.

In order that a proper discussion can take place on the resources required for the State's ambulance services it is imperative a capacity review of the service takes place and that such a review be conducted by an expert organisation from outside the jurisdiction. Such a review, if acceded to, would also require transparent terms of reference which should have stakeholder involvement. Stakeholders could include patient advocacy groups, clinicians and ambulance professionals via their recognised representative organisations. SIPTU members are committed to working with all processes which will advance the ambulance service. The significant advances made by our members in the past 15 years, driven from the ground up, bear testament to our credibility in the area of improving the ambulance service through the development of ambulance personnel and services. I thank the Chairman and committee members for their consideration of this submission.