Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am disappointed that although this is the second time we have raised the issue, on neither occasion has the Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, attended the House to discuss it. In our initial statements we outlined our full support for Dublin Fire Brigade and its ambulances. The work of the National Ambulance Service is also exceptional. However, the HIQA report mentioned by the Minister of State is absolutely flawed. The individuals who undertook the work to complete the report had a clear conflict of interest. As I mentioned, they are employed by the HSE to provide other services and that fact was not declared.

Why can I not get answers to the three parliamentary questions I tabled on 17 October about the public procurement process and the company AACE UK Limited? In six weeks I have not received answers to the three questions. I believe the company was appointed to give the HSE, the National Ambulance Service and Dublin City Council the answers they wanted, which is unacceptable. The Minister of State is a Dublin Deputy and aware of the work Dublin Fire Brigade and its ambulances do. This is an absolute divvy-up which should not be accepted. I ask the Minister of State to give a commitment that the Minister, Deputy Simon Harris, will come to the House to address the issue at least once. This is the second time we have raised it in six months.

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