Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that. Will the Leader arrange for a debate early in the autumn on the ambulance service? I do not know what protocols are in place governing the service or its relationship with the fire brigade. There are many anecdotes of ambulances having to travel hundreds of miles to respond to crises. Recently, an ambulance attending an emergency at the Cliffs of Moher was dispatched from Nenagh. That does not make sense. Whatever the national emergency protocols are, they are not working. Travelling from Nenagh to the Cliffs of Moher to attend an emergency is not acceptable. There must be a review. Ambulances must remain in their counties and deal with the emergencies therein. The ambulance was dispatched from Nenagh because none was available in Clare at the time.

I am aware of the challenges facing the paramedics and the ambulance service's lack of resources, but this situation must be addressed as a priority. Some €500 million extra is being made available to the health budget this year. I am sure that this amount will increase in 2017. We must have a root and branch review of the ambulance service.