Charlie McConalogue (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response. She stated that Mrs. Maura Porter's case was triaged correctly and the nearest available resource was dispatched. It is clear that in this instance the nearest available resource was much too far away. Carndonagh ambulance station, which serves the Inishowen Peninsula, was less than half a mile from where Mrs. Porter's accident took place. We need to ensure that two ambulances are available so that if one is called away and a second call comes in, it is responded to immediately. We cannot allow such an incident to happen again. The national guidelines indicate that an ambulance has to be at a scene within 19 minutes, which is the target. In this particular incident it took almost an hour. I ask the Minister of State to give an assurance to the family that there will be a full investigation of what the situation was in this instance, that the service levels available are reviewed to ensure this cannot happen again, and that the proper resources are put in place.

The particular ambulance station I referred to is the third busiest in the north west after Sligo and Letterkenny. One ambulance based there is not enough. If the family have one wish it is that this be the last time that such an incident would happen. I ask the Minister of State to ensure there is a full investigation and a full review to ensure the resources are put in place. The public need to have confidence that this cannot happen again. The service level needs to be in place in order that this family can at least have the comfort of knowing that this will not happen to any other family.

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