Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Aontaím leis an ráiteas atá déanta ag an Teachta faoi na hargóintí a bhíonn ar siúl anseo. This is an important capital project. Even in these straitened economic times, the Government has put together a funding model which will see up to €500 million being released for the building of a national paediatric hospital. We hope it will stand the test of time for the next 50 years and beyond. It is only right and proper that the Government should consider this issue carefully, in the best interests of all children, before making a decision that can be followed through such that this becomes a reality. I commend the medical staff, the nurses and everybody else who has worked during the years in the hospitals in Crumlin and Temple Street and at other locations where children are treated. In many cases, they have done magnificent and extraordinary work to deal with the difficulties experienced by children as very young babies and through childhood. It is only right and proper for individuals of such tradition, skill and expertise to be given an opportunity to work in a world-class facility. We are approaching the final stages of the process of making a decision and an announcement on where the Government intends to provide and build the hospital. I expect we will be in a position to make that announcement inside the next two weeks.

Any outside speculation and allegation is of no interest to me. My sole interest here is having a Government decision done in the right way, for the right site, for the right reasons, and to get on with providing what is one of the major flagship projects for our country in respect of which a funding model for provision has been put in place. I hope we will be able to conclude and make our decision in the next two weeks. The Government will apply itself to making that decision, as I said, in the best interests of our country.

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