Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am aware of it, but I have not yet had an opportunity to read it from cover to cover as it is about 60 pages long. The argument is that it could be legally possible for the State to purchase that land by CPO. I do not doubt that. I have said in this House previously that compulsory purchase of the land is an option, but it is an option that has consequences. It could delay the project and that would have a negative impact on women, children and staff and it might also result in the loss of co-operation with the project on the part of St. Vincent's Hospital. We need to bear in mind that this is not a new stand-alone hospital, or a new hospital that is just connected by a corridor through the air; this is a new hospital that will be integrated floor-by-floor with St. Vincent's Hospital. Even if the CPO was pursued, and it could be pursued, you would have to consider what the unintended consequences might be in terms of delaying the project or losing the co-operation of St. Vincent's Hospital, which is essential to the integration of the two hospitals.

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