Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not going to name them. A footnote mentioned that the assistance of the public representatives in question in the hospital's submission for the national paediatric and maternity hospital was much appreciated. The person who circulated the newsletter claims to have made the case for St. James's Hospital to decision makers, Ministers and the media. My understanding was that there was to be no lobbying from any representatives regarding the development of the national paediatric hospital. I would like an answer in this regard. It is very offensive that a political party has hijacked the hospital.

The committee has been told today that it is hoped to secure planning permission for the hospital by 2014. Does that mean we have a commencement date? We will be finished by 2018 or before then? Has a budget been agreed for bringing the project to the planning stage?

I would also like to ask about the Hollybrook long-term care unit in Inchicore. I feel like I am on a rollercoaster in a theme park at this stage. I received replies regarding this matter in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013. According to the most recent reply I received, on 23 April last, a consultation process will last six months up to the end of November 2013. Hollybrook is a beautiful place, but it is still sitting there and nobody is able to avail of it. Most of the people who were on my list three years ago have since died. They have all passed away, God love them. Can the Minister confirm that Hollybrook will be run by a public private partnership? It is now rumoured that it will be used as a transition place for patients from the local national hospital who are waiting for long-term care under the fair deal. I have to say I would be concerned about that. These beds were not supposed to be transition beds. They were supposed to be new beds for people in the community. Some 18% of them were to be given to local people. I do not believe this facility was developed to provide transition beds. I would like to know whether any agency staff will be employed if that happens.

I will move on to my last question.