The Clare Chairman of the HSE's Regional Health Forum West has urged all sides in the ambulance dispute to find a positive solution to the ongoing row over pay and conditions.
Councillor Tom McNamara is commenting as talks are continuing this afternoon in an effort to prevent strike action next week.
Ambulance workers are hoping that last ditch efforts aimed at resolving the long-running dispute over pay and conditions will be successful this afternoon.
SIPTU is meeting with the HSE and the Department of Health at the Workplace Relations Commission in an effort to avert strike action on Wednesday next.
Paramedics say they've been left with no other option but to strike over loss of earnings, a change to their working hour arrangements and failure to provide adequate staffing levels.
SIPTU's Health Division Organiser Paul Bell says improvements need to be made:
The Chairman of the HSE's Regional Health Forum West says it's imperitive that Clare's ambulance service isn't disrupted, particularly ahead of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann in Ennis, which will see thousands descend on the town.
There's still 12 unfilled ambulance positions in Clare, an issue Councillor Tom McNamara has raised at forum meetings on a number of occasions.
And he insists that finding a solution to the ongoing row is now a "matter of life or death":
