Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We are now going to hear from the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, NPHDB, in relation to the decision of the Government to proceed with the construction of the new children's hospital on the St. James' site. On behalf of the committee I welcome Mr. John Pollock, NPHDB project director, who is accompanied by Ms Eilísh Hardiman, chief executive of the Children's Hospital Group, Dr. Peter Greally, group clinical director, children's hospital, Dr. Sharon Sheehan, Master of the Coombe Women and Infants University Hospital and Ms Caitriona Sharkey, patient and member of the Temple Street University Hospital Family Advisory Committee Temple Street, FACTS, committee.

The NPHDB has been invited here to update us on the progress of the site of the new children's hospital at St. James'. The committee has no function in respect of the site of the location which has already been decided but we welcome the opportunity to engage with the NPHDB to hear its views on the Cabinet decision to locate the hospital at the site of St. James' Hospital. The Cabinet of the day agreed to build a hospital at St. James' in 2012 and planning permission was obtained in May 2016. Site clearance has commenced and the final construction contracts will be signed in the near future. There has always been an agreement that a purpose built and dedicated hospital for children is a necessity for a functioning health service. The debate, however, centred on the location. The National Paediatric Hospital will be the largest infrastructural development in the Irish health service. It will provide for essential specialist services for all children of Ireland at a single location, co-located with an adult teaching hospital and future maternity hospital when the Coombe is relocated to the site.

I draw the witnesses' attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of the evidence they give to the committee. If, however, they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. They are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person or an entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable. Any submission or opening statement submitted to the committee may be published on its website after the meeting.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I also remind members to switch off their mobile phones or put them in aircraft mode.

We will now listen to the opening submission.