Paschal Donohoe (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State. I acknowledge the contributions of Senators Corrigan and Cannon. Politics will change as a result of the desperately difficult times in which we find ourselves and I was struck by the nuanced and constructive approach both my colleagues took to his matter. Care was taken to try to understand the issue and both speakers made informed contributions that left aside the kind of politics and sectional interest that so often riddle our country when we make major decisions. There has been much discussion today about what our sovereignty will look like when the events of the coming weeks are out of the way. One of the things that deeply frustrates me about how we use the sovereignty we have currently, and will have in the future, is that every time a Government, of any complexion, makes a major decision, the interests involved who are disappointed by the decision do what they can to have the decision unpicked. Many of these interest groups, and in the case of the national children's hospital, all of these groups, are driven by what they believe are the best interests of children and by genuine interests. We are getting to the point, however, where any time a major decision is taken, the journey between making and implementing the decision becomes longer. This is at the cost of the country and every Member.

This is a decision about which I feel strongly, for reasons I will explain. Once a decision has been made and the Opposition in the House and stakeholders outside it have expressed constructive views thereon and have done what they can within the system to have their points of view heard and their proposals implemented, progress should follow. Despite some of the opposition that is now evident, I am glad a planning application has been sought for the project. I am glad to see the project moving ahead and that, within Leinster House, the questions being raised by colleagues such as Senator Cannon and Fitzgerald are legitimate in respect of which we all want answers. We all want to ensure funding is in place and that it is adequate for the project.

One common perception that has not been touched upon but which is a source of uncertainty is that the decision to locate the hospital on the site in question was made because it is in the constituency of the former Taoiseach. We should address this. I want to raise the matter because I live in the constituency in question and hope to represent it in the Dáil some day. I walk by the new site twice per day. I have brought my children to Temple Street hospital and the Mater hospital and have used their facilities very much, and I will use those that are put in their place very much. An issue that has riddled our politics and which is riddling the paediatric hospital project is the perception that decisions made in the national interest are too often influenced by constituency or sectional interests. I want to outline my view and then make a statement on those who make the final decision.

I will be glad to see the project completed, irrespective of whether the hospital, which is to meet the needs of chronically sick children, is located on the Mater site or in another part of Dublin or another part of the country. Where we live and where we represent must not influence the decision. I have confidence that two people will make the right decision in this regard, namely, the current Minister for Health and Children, whom I believe is motivated by the national interest, and a person who might be Minister for Health and Children in the future, Deputy James Reilly, if he is privileged enough to hold that post and if Fine Gael is lucky enough to get into government. Both are motivated by what is right for children and will make the right decision regardless of the location and the concerns that arise.

As Senator Cannon stated, we must ensure there is sufficient funding to ensure the hospital is built and built well. As I was acquainting myself with the background to the project, I took the time to read the McKinsey report and the reports that followed it, which laid down the criteria for the hospital's location. Colleagues have already touched upon them. The reports are very clear and state a country of our size should have a national centre and that, in order to deliver the best possible facility, it should be co-located "with an adult teaching hospital to access specialities that generally split between adults and children to facilitate clinical and academic cross-fertilisation and to attract the top staff". From talking to people who work in this field, I learned that the only two hospitals that would meet the criteria are the Mater hospital and St. James's hospital.

The Government, with the advice of experts in this area, made the decision to opt for the Mater hospital site. As planning permission is being considered for the project, the Government should do all it can to provide transparency regarding how the legitimate issues being raised by many are dealt with. Concerns arise regarding how the money will be found. Let us provide answers in this regard. We now have a crucial window that will allow the question to be answered. When a decision is made to meet the needs of citizens, particularly children, let us unite in respect thereof and implement it. Let us leave aside the various interests, which in many cases may be motivated by good intentions, and ensure a positive outcome.

Let me refer to an opinion piece in The Irish Times on this subject by Mr. Karl Anderson, former chairman of the New Crumlin Hospital Group. In the interest of openness, he was supportive of the decision made but concluded with a point that should appeal to everybody, regardless of what side of the debate one is on. He stated:

If the prospect of a new children's hospital becomes a distant memory smothered in reviews and endless circular debates (which it will because there is no perfect location), those who are most vocal against the current plan will be silent. Those who are actually responsible for providing services will be held accountable.

That is the tone we need to adopt in making a decision and implementing it. We must put the right facility in place and answer legitimate questions that have in mind the best interest of the children who will be using the services at the hospital when built.