Mr. Ted Kenny:

I will give two examples. The service operates on a two 12-hour shift basis, that is, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Owing to current call volumes, extended duties could run into 16, 17 or 18 hour shifts. We also have situations where paramedics who answer and are dispatched to calls, especially in rural Ireland, are being stood down when another ambulance becomes available that is closer to that call. That ambulance may then respond to another call only to be stood down again. We have examples of paramedics travelling nearly 500 km without ever attending the scene of a client.