S.I. No. 27/1998:

THE NATIONAL AMBULANCE ADVISORY COUNCIL ORDER, 1998.

THE NATIONAL AMBULANCE ADVISORY COUNCIL ORDER, 1998.

The Minister for Health and Children in exercise of the powers conferred on him by section 98 of the Health Act, 1947 (No. 28 of 1947) (as amended by section 41 of the Health Act, 1953 ) (No. 26 of 1953) as adapted by the Health (Alteration of Name of the Department and Title of Minister) Order (S.I. 308 of 1997) hereby orders as follows:

1. This Order may be cited as The National Ambulance Advisory Council Order, 1998.

2. The National Ambulance Advisory Council (Establishment) Order, 1994 is hereby revoked and the Council established by virtue of that Order is hereby dissolved.

3. A Council to be called "The National Ambulance Advisory Council" is hereby established to advise the Minister for Health and Children on general ambulance and pre-hospital care issues and in particular:

-- to make recommendations on standards for pre-hospital care;

-- to make recommendations on standard operational procedures and protocols for the ambulance service;

-- to advise on assessment and approval of training courses, and arrangements for the award of diplomas and certificates;

-- to evaluate public and private ambulance services in the context of the standards recommended by the Council;

-- to report annually on the ambulance service and

-- to undertake research on developments in the ambulance service, especially in regard to emerging technology.

4. The Council shall consist of not more than fifteen members appointed by the Minister. Each member shall hold office for a period commencing on his or her date of appointment and ending on the 31st of December, 1998.

5. The Minister shall appoint from amongst the members of the Council a chairperson.

GIVEN under the Official Seal of the Minister for Health and Children, this 4th day of February, 1998.

BRIAN COWEN,

Minister for Health and Children.