Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies for their contributions and views in this regard. As Minster for Health, I am very proud of the service that is being provided by the Dublin Fire Brigade in responding to emergency calls throughout the city and county. I thank the members on the record of this House for the service they provide. I am also very proud of the service provided by the National Ambulance Service for people in the Dublin area and beyond that area.

I am aware, as are Deputies and, to be fair, paramedics and people working in Dublin Fire Brigade and the National Ambulance Service, of a number of challenges in this regard, including what seems the bizarre idea that the National Ambulance Service does not have sight of a Dublin Fire Brigade ambulance resource on its own IT system and, therefore, is not able to despatch the nearest resource to the scene. That is not good for patient safety or for the utilisation of emergency resources. Deputy Lahart talked about technological solutions and he is correct that every possible solution needs to be explored.

I hope Members on all sides of the House will join me in calling on all those involved in industrial action not to proceed and to use every mechanism at their disposal through the industrial relations mechanism because, obviously, that would not be in the interests of any of our patients. I know that is not a decision that anybody working as a paramedic would take lightly. I am cognisant of the very strong views of the Dublin Fire Brigade, SIPTU, IMPACT and Members on all sides of the House in this regard. No decision has been taken by me and any decision that is taken by me, or taken jointly by me and the Minister, Deputy Coveney, will be taken while recognising all the various views. I will consult the spokespeople from the various parties at that stage.

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