Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support Deputy Shanahan. It is a scandal that people have to wait that length of time. It is a two-tiered system for the people of the south east, Tipperary included. There is a further problem, apart from the cath lab not being open. There is a huge problem with the National Ambulance Service and waiting times. People are dying on the roadside and in their homes while waiting for three, four, five and six hours. Ambulances are flying all over the country because boxes are being ticked regarding the time a 999 call is responded to. The ambulance service may have responded but it will not say the ambulance could be 120 miles away in Donegal. A farcical game is being played with people's lives. It is not good enough.

This issue has been raised countless times in this House. Ambulance staff and personnel are fatigued. Ambulances are becoming burned out with the distances they travel. They are doing nothing but meeting each other on the road and failing to collect sick patients. People have lost their lives. We are going to continue with this farce. It is disgraceful. The people of Ireland, rural and urban, are entitled to and deserve a better service. The two issues are linked. The Tánaiste knows that 90 minutes is a crucial time for heart attacks and any other service. People have to wait or go by car.

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