Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Reid, can I just say that the front-line staff in the ambulance service are doing tremendous work. They are making huge efforts. They are highly trained and they are more skilled than they were in years gone by. I can see those improvements. We appreciate those improvements. I am saying that there are problems with the system. I hear this from ambulance crews, from people who are actually on the front line, and from people who work in hospitals. I would appeal to Mr. Reid that in the interests of patient safety, senior officials in the HSE and the Department of Health look at the system. I understand that working groups are looking at this the moment. That is what I heard and that was reported. Whether or not it is true, I do not know. What I am saying to Mr. Reid is that there have been examples in recent times, of which I am aware, in the area and the constituency in which I live, Laois-Offaly. Patients' health, welfare and, indeed, lives have been put at risk. That cannot continue. If there are faults in the system, we should not close down any discussion and say it is perfect. It is not perfect. I understand improvements have been made. However, given the way ambulances are being deployed, some of what has happened is absolutely crazy. Nobody could stand over it. It needs to be examined. I appeal to Mr. Reid, as the chief executive of the HSE, to at least give an undertaking to have those issues examined.