Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)

The most disturbing aspect of this is that the redevelopment of Temple Street was put on hold for so long. It looked like it was making progress until the HSE report recommended that all paediatric surgery converge on one location. Some €46 million has been spent on redevelopment, planning and preparation for construction. My colleagues have referred to the Machiavellian manoeuvring between the Department of Health and Children, the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste, resulting in work on Temple Street grinding to a halt.

A few weeks ago the Minister issued a list of possible fines for incompetence and inefficiency in Irish hospitals. When can we fine the Minister for her performance in the Department? This also applies to the Taoiseach, in whose constituency Temple Street lies.

I heard the Minister on "The Late Late Show" proposing a single specialist utility for the entire country. A city of the magnitude of Dublin and the Leinster region would be best served by two facilities, one on the northside, one on the southside. Beaumont Hospital also proposed a plan for a northside children's hospital. All Dublin northside constituencies wish to retain the children's hospital at Temple Street, with access to top paediatric facilities at that location. We agree that a similar facility should be maintained for the southside.

I have heard that a decision is imminent. At last night's meeting I heard mothers from the northside who were highly agitated at the prospect of having to dash across the M50 through the infamous toll bridge. If a child suffers a seizure or an asthma attack, the key is getting the child to specialist assistance as soon as possible. Introducing problems of distance in the Dublin region is not the way forward. I appeal to the Minister of State, on behalf of the united Labour Party northside Deputies, that the decision regarding Temple Street be honoured.

I refer to the strategy published in 2001. Michael Kelly was involved in this, as was the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin. We expected an enhanced specialist site for the northside region, with high quality paediatric care.

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