Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Since 2005, we have increased the budget to Crumlin hospital by 39%, which is considerable. We are not engaged in spin. A significant amount of work is under way by the development board to put in place the new children's hospital.

I compliment the chairman of Crumlin hospital, Archbishop Diarmuid Martin, on his tremendous work in trying to advance the project. It does not meet with universal approval, but everyone knows that, were we to establish a paediatric service for the city and country, we would not start from our current position. We must improve on the situation with a modern, state-of-the-art facility co-located with an adult teaching hospital. This aim is being pursued and will be achieved.

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