Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will tell the Deputy why. Target times are only one element of an ambulance service. At present, if an ambulance responds in under 19 minutes to a call in respect of a life-threatening situation and the patient unfortunately passes away, that is recorded as an ambulance meeting its target. On the other hand, if an ambulance responds in 20 minutes to a call in respect of a life-threatening situation and the patient makes a full recovery, it is recorded as an ambulance missing its target. The determination of times, therefore, does not give a comprehensive response, although it is one element of it.

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