Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Mr. Donnelly and I very much welcome his emphasis midway through his presentation to the effect that he sees his role as no different from every other member of staff in the hospital, that is, to serve the patients and the community. In respect of St James's Hospital, of course, the community is an all-island community. I have had personal direct experience of St. James's Hospital although I am not domiciled within its immediate catchment.

The signalled development of the new national paediatric hospital at St James's Hospital is of course a very exciting project. However, there remains, unfortunately, some body of opinion not reconciled to its selection.

While I am mindful of some of the views expressed, my view, having witnessed the demise of the project to develop the national children's hospital at the Mater hospital, is that we need to proceed with all speed to have the best international standard of care provided for children who will present at the new facility. Members have met the development board, if it can be so described, and I have no doubt we will have a discourse on the project. We join St. James's Hospital in looking forward to its realisation.

Mr. Donnelly did not refer to the signalled intention to have a co-located maternity facility within the footprint of St. James's Hospital. Does he wish to comment on that issue? Co-location is extremely important. A number of the maternity services have been earmarked for relocation or association with other major hospitals in the city.

Mr. Donnelly was previously involved with the board of the Coombe hospital. Will the Coombe hospital be linked to St. James's Hospital? I am not certain if that is the case and perhaps Mr. Donnelly will indicate what knowledge he has in this regard.

Mr. Donnelly correctly described St. James's Hospital as a centre of excellence, which many people, including me, will confirm from personal experience. I wish him well and hope his role in the years ahead will be personally satisfying. I also hope he and his colleagues on the board of the hospital will work together and with all other opinion to ensure the delivery of what will be an exciting national project. I hope, on this occasion, it will be delivered within the scheduled timeframe.