Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I will ensure his comments which will be published in the Official Report are brought to the attention of the Minister and his Department. I will ask the Minister to take on board the issues he has raised. My duty is to provide the Deputy with a response, but it is the duty of the Minister and his Department to ensure the wishes the Deputy has expressed are met. The proposition the Deputy has put forward is eminently practicable.

I reiterate that the national ambulance service has been in continuing discussions with staff representative bodies on the introduction of the tactical deployment of existing resources, from existing ambulance stations to new locations such as Tuam. While such practices have been in place in other parts of the country for some time, Galway is one of a number of areas where this issue had not been progressed. However, it is now being progressed under the Croke Park agreement. The matter is under consideration and I hope a conclusion to the satisfaction of the citizens who live in the area in question will be reached.

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