Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Touché. The plans for the new maternity hospital were announced more than two years ago by the Government with great fanfare. The announcement was a long time coming and was warmly welcomed by all, because the Holles Street facility is simply not fit for purpose in any shape or form, given the high volume of births per annum. In certain cases, women with acute and complex births have to be transferred to St. Vincent's University Hospital. It seems to me that since the announcement there has been nothing but controversy and little progress on the site itself. The need is great in terms of the safety and well-being of women. I cannot understand why we are at the 11th hour on the corporate governance issues concerning the hospital, which seem to be impeding the rapid acceleration of the project itself, notwithstanding the Mulvey report. I would appreciate if the Taoiseach could indicate to the House that the project is on track as it is a key part of the programme for Government, that it will get the allocation it needs to proceed and also that he is satisfied with the governance arrangements that have now been identified.

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