Ms Laverne McGuinness:

There is no stand-off between HIQA and the HSE. We welcome the report compiled by HIQA, particularly as we are determined to consider anything that will lead to improvements in the ambulance service. What we have said is that in respect of the posts that have been put in place in the past 12 to 18 months, all the staff involved underwent a competitive process and that appropriate job descriptions have been provided. HIQA has met over 200 staff throughout the service. The recommendation it made - which will be acted upon - is that all job descriptions need to be reviewed. Over time, roles are expanded, etc., and, as part of the management review, which will be completed in February 2015, we will be reviewing the various job descriptions. We asked HIQA if it could provide specific information in order that we might get to the nub of the problem straightaway but, for reasons of confidentiality - and as the Deputy will, no doubt, appreciate - it was unable to do so. However, the director of the national ambulance service has met the senior management team in order to discover whether the problem is at that level. That is not the case.