The largest provider of private ambulances to the State says he's certain lives have been lost because of the way the national ambulance service is being run.

It follows the publication of a HIQA report that found ambulances are being held up outside hospitals for long periods due to overcrowding in A&E.

The Health watchdog says many of the patients brought to hospital should be treated over the phone - or by ambulance paramedics.

HIQA also criticises the communication between the National Ambulance Service and the Dublin Fire Service who jointly run ambulances in the city.

The director of private ambulance company Lifeline - David Hall - told the Last Word that people have died because of inefficiencies in the system;

Ambulances being held-up at A&E departments are causing a delay in response to 999 calls.

That’s according to an investigation carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Róisín Treacy reports;