Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It has been a long saga, without question. Issues arose about structures and all the rest of it, but I am in no doubt that in the context of our current services in Crumlin or Temple Street, the sooner we get this hospital built and operational, the better. It will be transformative for children in terms of having single suites, the theatre capacity, infection control and, especially for children with conditions that make them vulnerable, it will be transformative.

I understand the negativity. Accountability is important, but equally, we need to focus on what this will mean for the children of the country, including those from west Cork who will have to avail of these services.

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