Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

I completely agree. It is important to note that engagement with planning authorities is under way on agreement in regard to the principle of design once, build four times. I really cannot overstate that there is no room for local variation or perspectives. This is about doing something in the most efficient way and also having the ability to move between the different elective hospitals without any difficulty whatsoever. These elective hospitals will alleviate pressure on major hospitals. Precisely as the Deputy said, we should not have elective capacity within an acute hospital, which should be for the treatment of significant illness and trauma. The disruption that can happen for various reasons in acute hospitals delays planned surgeries and takes up capacity that should be there for urgent and emergency care within the acute system. My priority will be to secure the funding to advance these projects and also, working with the House, to revise the infrastructure guidelines to get to a way where we can build more effectively and efficiently, which is what we need for these projects in particular.

See this speech in context