Colm Keaveney (Galway East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response.

I am cautious about using the desperate circumstances in which there was no ambulance available to bring two bodies from Tuam to Galway on Sunday last in order to highlight this matter. I am disappointed that the Minister for Health is not present to respond to my observations. I do not accept that progress is being made by management in respect of available resources in the context of ensuring a new ambulance base could be opened immediately and on a cost-neutral basis. There is categoric evidence - this is based on rosters which came into effect on 1 September - which proves that there is capacity in the system to provide for a 24 hour service in Tuam with immediate effect.

The Minister of State's reply suggests work is in progress on the possible establishment of a 24 hour ambulance station in Tuam. I welcome this, particularly as it is the first I have heard of it. I am sure this is the first time the staff have become aware that there is space within the mechanisms of the Croke Park agreement to make provision in this regard. I ask the Minister of State to take personal responsibility for this matter and invite the head of the national ambulance service to attend a round-table discussion with the elected representatives from my constituency as a matter of urgency in order that they might put forward comprehensive proof based on existing rosters that there are sufficient staff available across the ambulance service network between counties Roscommon, Mayo and Galway to put in place a 24-7 service as soon as possible.

I am not prepared to look forward to the next crisis and ask what would happen if the ambulance was not available. It is unacceptable to be obliged to pose such questions in circumstances where the requisite resources are available. I categorically state there are existing resources in the Galway area which would allow for the immediate provision of a 24 hour service. Such a service should be put in place for a community that is grieving.

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