Dr. Emma Curtis:

It is such a large and wonderful project, yet its development has felt attritional, difficult and challenged. That is entirely reasonable because of the difficulties the project has faced over the time. One of the consequences has been that for the staff in the three children's hospitals, and paediatric services, children and families who will avail of it nationwide, there has been doubt and confusion about whether it will ever happen. It is seen as a poisoned chalice. We have done good work on planning and design and we have great staff. In paediatrics, almost all our staff have been trained outside the country or else trained by the best people here. Obviously, it is not the building that makes for excellent care but an inadequate building can make excellent care more difficult to deliver, whereas a good environment and resources can enhance the ability to deliver excellent care. I would like a positive perception of the project to emerge but that is not how people see it. I know the design inside out, I work closely with the CHI and, therefore, I am familiar with its work on integration.

The hospital will be excellent. It will be a very good place for children who have illnesses and conditions and who need medical input, which is a shame because, ideally, childhood is not marred by such problems. In some way, it is important that it is seen for what it is, namely, a fantastic investment, long overdue, in the health and well-being of children and young people. That is not the responsibility solely of the Oireachtas but we are all part of ensuring that the hospital is seen in that way rather than as something terribly negative, which is sometimes how it feels.

Ms Hardiman outlined the difficulties in staffing and the genuine challenges in merging three hospitals, doing everything together and commissioning three new buildings. I welcome any support, input or wisdom from the Oireachtas to the Department, which is a significant supporter of the project, while the HSE is intricately involved in the project. We are not in this on our own. All the bodies in attendance at the meeting are involved. Any support the Oireachtas can give in guiding and supporting us in the challenging job we have to do is welcome. The hospital will be a fantastic benefit to children and young people.

It has the potential, through its network and through working with primary care and community, not just the hospital, to really enhance the health of future children and young people in Ireland for decades and into the next century.