Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

For more than a decade, I have been campaigning, alongside others in this House, to establish a helicopter emergency service, HEMS, in this country. Following the closure of the accident and emergency department in Roscommon County Hospital, the local community took the initiative of seeking to establish an air ambulance service.

In 2012, the Government established a 12-month pilot air ambulance service using the Air Corps helicopter. Although the service has been a phenomenal success, we have no clear commitment regarding the retention of the service. It is being extended on a three-month basis.

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