Sinn Féin Mourne’s Councillor Willie Clarke has welcomed the announcement of funding for an air ambulance for the North and called for the service to be operated on an all-Island basis, given the demographics and the rural isolation of the border counties.
Cllr Clarke said: “I welcome today’s budget announcement that £4 million is to be made available for an air ambulance service for the North. This is an service that has been lobbied for and has received unanimous cross-party support from Newry, Mourne and the previous legacy Down District Council and the new Newry Mourne and Down District Council.
“The £4 million earmarked in the British government’s budget announced today will be used to deliver an air ambulance service similar to the service in Wales.
“While today’s announcement is welcome, there should be cooperation to ensure any air ambulance service should operate on an all-island basis.”
