Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

The Minister should note that I did not refer to Temple Street in an ongoing way, I referred to both Crumlin and Tallaght hospitals and the roles they would play post the advent - if it is to be - of the utilisation of the Mater Hospital site. Will the Minister indicate his current expectation of service delivery at Tallaght and Crumlin hospitals and, in regard to the former, address my argument that it should continue to provide inpatient care for children?

I do not take issue with the Minister bringing in external expertise. My question focused quite particularly on the engagement of expensive consultants. If the Minister could share the detail with us, I would like to know the make-up of the review team. I welcome the Minister's reference to individuals with expertise. We do not take issue with that but we take issue with the inordinate moneys that have been wasted on external consultancy contracts in the past. That is something I want to avoid.

I welcome the Minister's stated four week timeframe on the review of the Mater Hospital site. When will the review start? Therefore, we will know when the four weeks will end.

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