Ms Valerin O'Shea:

I was asked about the planning permission for the Rotunda, which has not yet been granted. The decision has been made that the Rotunda will move to the Connolly site, but in relation to planning permission, I have before me the section from the Martin and Clear report, a planning assessment document which accompanied the Dolphin report. It lists all the advantages and weaknesses of each of the hospital sites being considered for the children's hospital. The Connolly Hospital assessment lists no weakness. It is a greenfield site and planning issues are highly unlikely to arise. In fact, the only item that is listed in the weakness section is the requirement to vary the development plan. However, local authority members have already agreed to do that. As such, it is not an issue and could be done contemporaneously. On the other hand, there is an endless list of the strengths of the site meaning it should not be a problem just as for the children, it is a very straightforward site in relation to planning.

The Master of the Rotunda has said it will take perhaps five years to move to the site.