I concur with what my colleagues said. It shows the importance of this issue, which spanned three different Dáil terms. Colleagues from political parties and Independents have come together on this issue because it is so important for the people of Connemara. It has progressed but I have been advised by the Minister for Health in a response to a parliamentary question that it was expected to be delivered in 2025. I was told at that stage that the preparation of tender documentation was well advanced, it was intended to tender the construction works in quarter three of 2024 and they would commence with a nine-month building plan. This is not where we are at the moment but we do want to know where we are. We want to make sure this is progressed. This is a basic need of a community that has long campaigned for it. We have heard so many different horror stories about people who have been affected in so many different ways. The crux is that the people of Connemara need this ambulance base. It is being progressed but being able to get the information from the HSE has been an issue at times, which is why we had to bring it to the floor of the Dáil. It is crucial there be clear communication that we can bring back. Let us get this delivered as soon as possible.

Sentiment score: 0.13

I appreciate the Minister of State's response and how genuine it was. I think the other Deputies will agree we saw progress when we raised it as a Topical Issue a number of years ago with former Minister of State, Anne Rabbitte. She took it upon herself to get things moving, so that shows the role the Minister of State can play in this. Let us hope we can get progress as a result. I was told by the Minister for Health last July that the fire safety certificate and disability access certificate would be submitted in the week ending 12 July and the preparation of tender documentation was well advanced, so something went wrong. Could we try to get to the bottom of it because it is urgently needed?

Sentiment score: 0.36