Mr. John Pollock:

Our board is probably unique. As our remit is to design, build and equip the hospital, the skill set on the board reflects this. We have Mr. Tom Costello who was CEO of Sisk, the largest builder in the country; procurement expertise from the Office of Government Procurement; an architect from Northern Ireland, Mr. John Cole, who was the chief architect for the Northern Ireland health service; and financial services, contracts and legal expertise. It is very much a board that was assembled with a fixed remit to deliver a hospital from start to finish. We were asked if we had looked at equipping the hospital. We absolutely have. We have appointed a dedicated team of four people and have lists of all the equipment that will be provided in the hospital - from desks, beds, imaging and theatre equipment to X-ray machines. It is on our procurement list and we are advancing with these plans. They have been put out to tender.

We were asked to elaborate on the provision of green spaces. We have four acres of green space in total on the campus. There are multiple gardens. From the point of view of parents and children, it is within that oval, a garden that is longer than Croke Park, in the middle of which we have what we call a biome in order that, even on a wet day, one will be able to sit in that space and look out on the garden. It is very sheltered because the in-patient wards will surround it. Staff, families and patients will be able to go there and it is big enough to be segregated. Children who are immuno-suppressed and cannot go out with the other children will be able to use the segregated areas. At ground level, we will have what we call our "meadow garden" which will be open to everybody, including the public and local residents, and which will be over an acre in size. On the southern boundary where the Luas line runs, there will be a linear park which are creating as part of the development. The Luas stop at Rialto is 30 m from the front door of the hospital and there will be another garden located there. The three-storey finger buildings out towards the South Circular Road will feature internal courtyards. We are very conscious of our neighbours across the road, which is why the buildings will not be too high. The courtyards will be accessible to out-patients who want some fresh air and to get out of the hospital environment. On the third floors of the buildings, there will be break-out spaces for staff. If one needs a break from the hospital, one will have a quiet space where one will be able to take a cup of coffee and sit. In total, four acres of green space will be provided on the campus.