James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand the concern of the Deputy about what is an excellent service and anything he construes as impairing it. Far from it; this is designed to improve the service. It may transpire that the report will make unexpected findings which Deputies in this House are presupposing. It is not fair to compare an urban service like the one in Dublin with rural services in the light of the distances that must be travelled, the number of hospitals available and the density of population. A review is taking place and let us await its outcome. We will revisit the issue at that point and give everyone in the House the opportunity to engage. The ambulance service in Dublin is a critical part of infrastructural services within the city and has a long and proud tradition. I do not want to see anything interfering with this. I am a believer in not accepting the status quo if something can be improved and there is no service that cannot be improved. There is unanimity on this point. It is an excellent service which has nothing to fear from a review other than seeing how we can improve it further. Therefore, let us not prejudge the outcome.

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