Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

Let me make my point. The Ceann Comhairle appointed me to the Tallaght Hospital board in 1988 and I have taken a strong interest in the project since then. I was a member of the board that opened the hospital in 1998. I live in the shadow of Tallaght Hospital and, like my neighbours in Tallaght, I want to know the position with regard to the future delivery of services. We cannot create a situation where children's hospital services will not continue to be delivered and, indeed, developed on the Tallaght Hospital site.

The Minister of State probably has a prepared script. I hope he listens to what I and my colleague, Deputy Crowe, say on this matter and tries to get answers for us. We simply want to know what the future holds for the children's hospital in Tallaght. That is what people in the area are asking. This is not just about the election, as I hope to be campaigning for Tallaght Hospital long after it, in whatever role I hold. What is the position with the hospital?

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