Eamonn Maloney (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

In the course of this debate we can all agree not only on the importance of the national ambulance service but also the very good service provided over the decades, along with the changes that have occurred within the service. Irrespective of which side of the motion we are on, I think we can all agree to that. I have no disagreement with some of the comments that were quite rightly made last night about the professionalism of those working within the ambulance service and the level of care those men and women provide.

It is appropriate to say that, like those working with the fire brigade and frontline hospital services, we do not appreciate ambulance service staff until we need them in our own homes. It is only when such services are required on our doorstep that we appreciate their value.

People working for the ambulance service in Dublin and elsewhere can describe the changes that have taken place. That is because nothing stands still and Irish society has changed so much, including lifestyles and increased car ownership. All these societal changes, in turn, influence the sort of service that is provided by the national ambulance service which has had to change with them. Ambulance staff will testify that this is not a problem.

Both trade unions representing ambulance staff in Dublin, SIPTU and IMPACT, have welcomed the review of the service in the city. That is a good and progressive thing.

I will not go into too much of the detail as most previous speakers have referred to it, but we await the outcome of the review. A review of services is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it has more positives than negatives. If it leads to a better ambulance service, we should welcome it. That is what the people who provide the Dublin Fire Brigade ambulance service are saying. They welcome the review and, particularly, its independence, which is very important. I await the outcome of the review. We will all take notice of it and see what beneficial changes can be made.

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