Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

The same building, which was proposed, is being built. If we consider the costs in other countries where hospitals are being built, they are not of the order of the costs we face. Just because it will be the most expensive hospital in the world does not mean it is will necessarily be the best one but I hope it will be one of the best. The reality is that there are major cost overruns. Would the Taoiseach have signed off on this when he did if he knew it was going to cost three times what was projected at that time?

I asked the Taoiseach what other health facilities will be impacted by virtue of the fact the capital budget will be greatly impacted by this development. Dr. Fergal Hickey in a radio interview this morning spoke of the need for capital investment to deal with overcrowding. We understand investment is needed for the likes of Sláintecare. In that context, what will not be done? I ask the Taoiseach to answer the questions I asked him. What is the cost, as of today, of the national children's hospital?

See this speech in context