Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

In this instance, we cannot blame the HSE. Its officials are not recommending that the procedure and the clinical standards be changed. It is important that we recognise that community first responders did significant good work in the past and, hopefully, they will continue to do so. There are times when there are unintended consequences following the introduction of particular standards and I will speak to the Minister again about this. Perhaps additional training needs to be provided to satisfy HIQA and the other groups involved. It would be a sorry day if this group of volunteers were lost to any community.

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