Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

No, it is not, but let us be clear about a couple of things. While An Bord Pleanála did not look at a planning application for the Coombe, and I am not suggesting it did, it did look at the capacity of the St. James's site. The capacity is there. I will say this for the first time today - I have not said it before - I would like to see us now moving ahead with the planning permission phase for the Coombe. I have to be honest that the building of it is not going to happen today or tomorrow. However, let us move ahead to show the direction of travel because a number of parents that I have spoken to want to know that the maternity services are going to be there. That is vital and it is our policy to have them there. I will work with my Department and with the HSE to try to advance the design and planning of that. I will keep the committee updated on it.