Kate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know. I have attended many meetings at which this project has been discussed. Most of the issues have been exhausted. It is important to reiterate Dr. Curtis's point about the positive role of those who are delivering the hospital. I have made this point on many occasions. Perhaps the Chairman and the other members of the committee are aware of the state of Temple Street Hospital and Crumlin hospital. The witnesses are definitely aware of it. When I was in the car park of Crumlin hospital nine years ago, I saw cranes lifting prefabricated theatres into the hospital. I thought it was a waste of money because a new hospital was being built. I am sure children are being served as well as possible in these prefabricated units, which have been in existence for nine years. They represent an example of the facilities being given to our children. I acknowledge that the negativity around this must be very difficult. Dr. Curtis mentioned that a very good job has been done with planning and designing. Our job as public representatives is to try to get value for money. I never had a problem with the location when I studied it. I have never had a problem with providing the best care for our children. This is long overdue. I am a big supporter of trilocation and would like a planning master plan to be delivered for the site. I understand that the money is not there in the national development plan. I understand the cascade of priority when it comes to the national maternity hospital being first on the list. Many people who are looking at this project as it unfolds are losing the will to support it at times. Many people support it because of the trilocation model and as the best provider of healthcare. To my mind, the public anger has been about the money element. It is just so much money. That is where our job comes in. We have to take money from elsewhere to pay for it. It will be a fantastic hospital. None of this criticism is personal. We put ourselves in the public eye and take what we are given most of the time, much of which is deserved. Many of the witnesses have received undue public criticism, but that is just the way it goes. I will support them in any way I can as they continue their challenging job of delivering the new hospital. Many of us would sleep easier at night if we could see a maternity hospital happening in the near future, perhaps if we have a few pounds to spend on another hospital in the next plan. I thank the witnesses for their work and for their time this morning.