Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have endeavoured to interact with Deputies' questions. The Oireachtas health committee can continue engaging with the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, my Department officials and the HSE in order to monitor this project and get the latest up-to-date information. I encourage it to do so. I also encourage people to visit the hospital site. A number of Deputies in the Dublin West constituency, including Deputy Burton, have visited the Connolly site, which is now making a real difference to children's outpatient waiting lists.

We will never regret building this project. I have no doubt about that. However, until it is built and open, it is only right and appropriate that it continues to be scrutinised intensively. After years of people talking, debating and thinking about it, and arguing about the sites, the project is now under way. It makes my blood boil when people refer to black holes, or make comments and then leave the Chamber without actually engaging with the issues. This is far from a black hole. The development of the main hospital is well under way. Lessons should be learned on this project. Neither I nor the Government is suggesting otherwise. The PwC report makes significant recommendations which apply to both this project and all other major capital projects going forward. The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and I are finalising our implementation plan for how we respond to this project and others, which we hope to present to the Government shortly.

I thank the board as well as the many hundreds of construction workers working on this project. There are economic benefits involved in the project due to the number being employed. I look forward to the Tallaght part of the hospital opening next year, the project being completed in 2022 and the hospital opening in 2023. I do not know who will be Minister for Health at that time. Whether it is myself, Deputy Donnelly, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan, Deputy Harty or even Deputy Boyd Barrett, he or she will be very proud to be opening this hospital on that occasion.

See this speech in context