David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In the first instance I commend the rural Deputies for tabling this motion. As other speakers said, it has given us the opportunity to have this important debate.

I want to acknowledge the Minister's contribution and the commitments contained therein, some of which I welcome. I fully understand that where the hospital is located is important. It is important to me, the Minister and every Deputy in this House. It is important also to those people who disagree with the location of the site. People are entitled to their opinions and as has been said, people have deeply held views on a range of different locations, not just the Connolly hospital site. Views on multiple sites were put to all Members of this House over many years and all of those are deeply held views. I have two young boys who live in Kilkenny so I would want to make sure that if my children were sick they would have access to the best possible services.

While site and location is important, what is also important is the type of hospital we get, the services that hospital will provide, the cost to the Exchequer and whether the money can and will be provided. We were sold the current site, and I am prepared to support the current site, on the basis that there would be tri-location. There were many hours of debate over many years in different sectoral committees, especially in the health committee. The Minister will be aware that Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, who was our previous health spokesperson, spent many hours in many sittings of that hearing examining all the different options. Eventually, we decided that we just needed to get this hospital built, but not at any cost. It has to be built based on international best practice, what is best for children and what is best for everybody involved. Trilocation in terms of paediatric, adult and maternity services is vital.

I need to be reassured by the Minister that the maternity services will be located on this site because that is what I am hearing from those who are the strongest opponents of this. Some of them disagree fundamentally with the site. There are others who say they have their disagreements but we need to be absolutely reassured that the trilocation will go ahead, that the planning application will be lodged and that there will not be a fudge where we are told it will happen and then it does not happen. That absolute commitment has to be given to us in good faith, in deed and in practice.

With regard to the costs, this hospital needs to be built. If there is an overrun, so be it, but the Minister has a responsibility to make sure that there is good spend of taxpayers' money. Why has it taken so long for the memorandum the Minister talks about to be brought to Cabinet? With respect to all of us, there has been a good deal of media speculation about that. Some of it may be helpful while some may be unhelpful but it is known that the costs have overrun significantly. Any time we table parliamentary questions or write to the Minister, the reply is about the memorandum that will be brought to Cabinet. When will it be brought to Cabinet? Why is it taking so long to be brought to Cabinet? When it is brought to Cabinet, will the Minister inform Deputies in this House of the true cost in the first instance? Importantly, whatever the costs, will he inform us that the money will be available to make sure this hospital is built, and I do not mean partially but in its entirety? That means trilocation, which has to happen.

I commend the rural TDs who tabled this motion. They have genuine concerns. They have given expression to many of the concerns relayed to me. I have met many parents and campaigners on this issue. I have been honest with them that I will support the current site, not because I am not listening to what they have to say. I have listened to all of the views and having listened to all of the views I am firmly of the opinion that this hospital needs to be built quickly. I am somewhat but not fully reassured that the commitments that have been given on trilocation will be delivered. I am not sure whether the Minister will have a chance to speak again but that is the core issue for me. If that commitment is given, I am sufficiently reassured that this project should go ahead as quickly as possible.

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