Frank Feighan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the fact the NAS expects the Loughglynn ambulance station to be operational following the resolution of these issues. It was stated on local radio by other politicians that this ambulance base would never open. Why are people making those statements? I know the elephant in the room from talking to the national ambulance service and it is the fact that people who work for the service signed up under the Haddington Road agreement but are still refusing to go out and man this station. As a national politician it is my right to come into this House and state when something is wrong. I have kept silent for far too long and my worry is that lives will be put at risk if this ambulance base is not opened soon. I appreciate the fact the Minister and other people are doing everything possible but I am asking the people who signed the Haddington Road agreement to step up to the plate and deliver what they agreed. If lives are lost this politician will not be taking responsibility - the responsibility will be back on those ambulance personnel who signed up to an agreement which they are obliged to carry out. This has gone on for far too long and has been a political football for far too long.

I am absolutely convinced that when this ambulance base opens in Loughglynn in west Roscommon, which was an ambulance blackspot, patients will have a quicker ambulance response time once again and will get the care they deserve. I pay tribute again to the ambulance service personnel and the work they are doing on the ground, including the paramedics, the advanced paramedics and the air service. They have saved dozens of lives in my county since Roscommon accident and emergency services were downgraded and I am delighted that has happened.

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