John Kelly (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I agree with him that the issue of poor call-out times for ambulances is an emotive one, particularly when things go wrong. I praised the ambulance staff and the paramedics in my contribution. I acknowledged that if the patient is lucky enough to have them arrive on time, he or she will receive a far better service from them. I would appreciate it if the Minister would discuss with his colleague, the Minister, Deputy Kelly, my suggestion that firemen should be trained up. They are all local to towns. Some of them are already trained as first responders while others need to receive such training. If they had the right training, the life of the 19 year old lad I mentioned, who was a neighbour of one of these firemen, could have been saved. Who knows? We do not know. I appreciate the Minister's answer. I would like it if he spoke to the Minister, Deputy Kelly, about my suggestion.