I rise to address a serious issue that goes to the heart of public safety and the effective functioning of our emergency services, namely, the misuse and abuse of our emergency ambulance services. This serious matter was raised only last week by Fine Gael Councillor Angie Baily in Tralee at a meeting of Kerry County Council. She reflected the deep and growing concern at local and, given what was reported on Newstalk earlier, national level. It is an issue that demands immediate attention.

People are stepping out of accident and emergency departments ten minutes after having been brought to hospitals across the country. Ambulances exist to save lives. They are not taxis, a convenience or a substitute for routine transport or non-urgent care, yet these vital services are being misused, placing unnecessary strain on a system already under pressure. In counties such as Kerry, the consequences are very stark. When an ambulance is dispatched unnecessarily to distant parts of the county, response times increase significantly. That delay does not simply inconvenience people. It leaves entire communities exposed and waiting for emergency care that may arrive too late. In a genuine emergency, minutes matter. This is not just a health issue, as has been reported. It is also a justice issue. That is why I call on the Ministers for Health and justice to jointly engage and debate this matter.

We need decisive action in three areas. First, we must introduce clear protocols to redirect non-emergency cases to primary care, community services or telehealth, supported by strong public education.

Second, there must be sanctions for deliberate misuse, with appropriate powers for investigation and enforcement. Third, we need stronger operational safeguards for rural areas, using data, public awareness campaigns and smarter resource deployment to protect genuine emergencies. Every unnecessary ambulance call puts lives at risk and I urge the Government to act without delay. I call on the Ministers for health and justice to bring forward measures to this floor that safeguard our emergency services and the people we serve.