Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his reply. I expected the Taoiseach, and I expect all other political leaders, to condemn out of hand the murder of David Black. I welcome the Taoiseach's comments. I know this is cold comfort to Yvonne and her family.

On the issue of the children's hospital, we have concerns. Philanthropy is a way to fund it and the sale of national lottery licence is another which has been earmarked. However, because of the difficult economic environment, there are major concerns, as expressed by some very senior paediatricians and others, that the downgrading of services in the current children's hospitals will be used to fund the stream of resources required for this children's hospital. We need a clear funding mechanism to be put in place in the context of budget 2013 and thereafter.

I refer to the concerns about the charitable status of the national paediatric development board and the issues raised. Will the charitable status of the development board and the guaranteed funding stream throughout the development of this hospital, as opposed to waiting year on year for funding to build this much-needed facility, be addressed as quickly as possible?

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