Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In the spirit of accuracy, the Taoiseach should reflect the fact that waiting lists for children have not fallen and more children with scoliosis and spina bifida are waiting now than there were four years ago. That is the accurate fact of the matter.

The Taoiseach says the hospital will be completed this year. When? He says it will be operational next year. When? The Minister was far less assured in his commentary today. He caveated every statement with a maybe, a perhaps and a reliance on delivery by the construction developer. Can the Taoiseach give us dates and timelines? When will it be finished? When will it be open? Is he saying €2.2 billion is the final and full cost but has caveated that with speculation around years of disputes in the courts. That strikes me as a very unsure and unsatisfactory answer. When he gets to his feet again, will the Taoiseach give us the month in which the hospital building will be finished, when it will be fitted out, complete, open and operational? Will he give us an absolute assurance that €2.2 billion is the final cost, inclusive of any protracted processes through the courts?

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