Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

I am surprised the Minister has made this decision without reading the Tallaght Hospital charter. I suggest she does so because what is now proposed is contrary to the charter and amounts to a serious breach of faith on the part of the State towards those involved in Tallaght, and particularly those involved in the move of the National Children's Hospital from Harcourt Street to Tallaght.

Will the Minister acknowledge that, while paediatricians rightly favour the provision of one tertiary centre of excellence, they have major reservations about the Mater Hospital site? It is untrue to suggest they support it. Does the Minister acknowledge the proposed ambulatory centre will have no accident and emergency facility, no inpatient beds and will not be open after midnight? Does the Minister accept that, given the current needs of the population catchment currently served by the paediatric section in Tallaght Hospital, there will be a grossly inadequate service? Can she also confirm to the House the point she appeared to make in her response that, while 80% of the procedures currently provided by the National Children's Hospital, Tallaght will continue, 20% will not continue? Am I wrong or is she unable to identify that 20% to the House? Can she clarify the 20% of services currently provided which will be discontinued in Tallaght Hospital?

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