Defibrillator call

IT would cost an estimated €130,000 to install a defibrillator in each of the country’s 116 Garda stations operating on a 24/7 basis.

That was the figure Dublin Bay North TD, Sean Haughey (FF) received through a Parliamentary Question (PQ) he asked the Department of Justice this month. 

Deputy Haughey said the installation of the life-saving defibrillators in Garda stations nationwide should be examined by the Government to help save lives of people who suffer a cardiac arrest.

“It’s very often the case that a local Garda station is in the centre of the community and in a very central, easily accessible public space in a town or village,” Deputy Haughey told Northside People. “Providing a defibrillator to the Garda stations open 24/7 would therefore, be a very effective way to improve the survival rate of cardiac arrest.

“Defibrillators or AED (Automated External Defibrillator) equipment are currently not provided in stations, despite it being such a public place and easily accessible.”

Deputy Haughey said the rollout of defibrillators on this basis would be an important extension of emergency health infrastructure for people living in areas not very well served by hospitals, primary care or ambulance services. 

“I will be following up on this matter with the Department of Justice and in the Dáil over the coming weeks,” he added.