Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Senator has raised a number of crucial issues. First, on the matter of services in rural Ireland, ass far as I am concerned, people living in rural Ireland have the same rights to an ambulance service and good quality health services as people living in urban areas. This is a very important matter when it comes to discussing strategic health service plans the length and breadth of the country. Speaking as a Minister of State, what happened to the family in question was unacceptable and I know that the Senator is aware of other similar incidents. In answer to his question I can confirm that I will bring his concerns to the attention of the Minister for Health and make this a priority issue. I will also raise the other issues brought up by the Senator in this very important debate. We are talking about people's lives and have to make sure people living in rural Ireland who are citizens of the State are entitled to the same health service and have the same rights and protections as the rest of us.