Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I support the calls by Senators Norris and O'Donovan that the new children's hospital be built and that the process should move forward. We started this debate over four years ago in this House and I thought it had all but been put to bed until we realised late last week there was a clash of personalities. As the Minister has said, we should leave personalities to one side and do what is best for the sick children of this country.

I know parents who travel from the four corners of our little country to come to Dublin. As Senator O'Donovan has pointed out, they do not care where in the city or the outskirts the hospital will be built. They just want good and proper facilities for sick children rather than treatment in antiquated buildings. They are very grateful for the medical personnel treating their children but why should they not have state-of-the-art facilities to treat their children? Quality and safety should be put before ease of access. I know parents who do not have private transport to take sick children to Dublin and they must avail of public transport. Everyone should be covered.

As I noted earlier, the debate is closed and the process has moved on. If we consider the McKinsey report we can see that the Mater site is well fit for the type of hospital to be built there. I have only seen plans in the newspapers and on television news programmes but it looks to be absolutely outstanding infrastructure. There will not be a country in Europe that could look in on us. If we let the issue go now by seeking a review, the money will be lost and the sick children of the country will lose out.