The HSE has drawn up a plan to take control of Dublin's ambulance service which is currently provided by Dublin Fire Brigade.
The plan seen by the Irish Times was drawn up ahead of last months announcement of a review of ambulance services in Dublin.
The internal HSE proposal says that the current set up constrains its plan to develop an integrated national ambulance service.
It's also concerned that it doesn't have control over financing and quality of care.
The revised arrangement would see the HSE take over the running of ambulance services on a phased basis with it being fully operational by the end of 2015.