The Health Minister Leo Varadkar has defended a decision by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to take over the Fire Brigade Ambulance service in Dublin, saying patients were at risk.

In a statement, Mr Varadkar says HIQA had concerns that the two Dublin ambulance services were not integrated, and calls that were passed between the HSE and Fire Brigade were sometimes missed.

"There is room for improvement and Dubliners deserve the best from their ambulance service," Mr Varadkar said.

The bodies which control the National Ambulance Service and Dublin Fire Brigade - the HSE and the four Dublin local authorities - have come to an agreement to integrate their back office operations.

"It is vital that full consultation with unions now takes place over the six month transition period, as set out under the Haddington Road Agreement, before any new measures come into play. I have made that very clear to all involved," he said.

What is now being proposed is that the National Ambulance Service will takeover back office functions - such as call-taking, dispatch and clinical governance.

"This is happening because HIQA has raised concerns around the fact that Dublin has two ambulance services that are not integrated, especially the fact that some patients occasionally fall between the two stools when calls are passed between the two services," Mr Varadkar added.

SIPTU has criticised the decision and has warned its members may take industrial action.