Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Leader for outlining the Order of Business. In regard to the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, a number of amendments have been tabled from our side of the House and from other Senators. I ask Senators to take a detailed look at these as I believe they will strengthen the Bill. Our justice spokesperson, Senator Denis O'Donovan, will propose a number of my party's amendments.

On other issues, I welcome the report of the independent review group on the national children's hospital and that the group has effectively confirmed the decision of the McKinsey report of 2005, namely, that the Mater Hospital site is suitable for this hospital, contrary to many remarks made by the current Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, while in opposition. In that vein, and on foot of the independent review board's report, with minor amendments as proposed, will the Government - and the Minister for Health - confirm that the Mater site is suitable, reaffirm and commit that the new national children's hospital will be opened in 2015, that the funding for it, which is part of the capital envelope in the four year plan agreed with the troika, is ring-fenced and will be used to build the hospital, and that the Government will move very quickly to lodge a planning application for the Mater site to ensure this hospital will be open in 2015? Every Member of the House will agree with what is proposed, namely, that the new national children's hospital is the way forward with its 445 beds and, most important, that 392 of those beds are single room beds that will allow dealing with and assistance for children who are badly in need of medical care. It is important that this Government reaffirm its commitment to the planned hospital, accept the findings of the independent review and push forward and reconfirm its commitment to having the hospital open in 2015.

Will the Minister for Transport, Deputy Leo Varadkar, come to the House to discuss the issue of regional airports, particularly in regard to Galway and Sligo airports over which closure orders are effectively dangling? I ask this in the context that the Minister was able to find, in the space of 24 hours and on foot of community protests, €1 million to ensure that a train station in Ongar, in his constituency of Dublin West is opened. If the Minister can find €1 million to open a train station in his constituency, which is well served by public transport, surely to God he can find the resources to ensure that Galway and Sligo airports remain open and that the Government will confirm to the electorate the commitments it gave during the general election campaign to ensure regional airports stayed open and operational. If the Minister is able to find €1 million for his own constituency, it is crucially important that he find €5 million for Sligo and Galway airports.