Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for making a decision on the matter. It is welcome. The McKinsey report dates back to 2006. At present three hospitals in Dublin provide child care. It is important that we make the necessary changes because children require specialist treatment. In 2006 the report accepted that one children's hospital would look after children from the greater Dublin area and provide specialist care for children from around the country. It is important that we provide the best facility for children and at the earliest possible date.

It is interesting how medicine has improved in the past ten years and the specialist work that is now carried out in hospitals. It is important that children do not have to leave the State for medical treatment. There have been a number of reports since the McKinsey report and it is unfortunate that the original Mater project was unable to proceed. As recently as 15 May 2012, An Bord Pleanála responded to a suggestion to scale down the Mater project by stating:

In the case of this pre-application consultation, whilst the information before the Board is of an outline nature, the Board notes that a reduction in the height of the proposed building from 16 to 9 storeys plus plant is proposed. Whilst such a reduction in height is likely to reduce the visual prominence on the city skyline the Board advises that the reduction may, however, have other significant impacts in respect of the design, massing, bulk and functionality of the proposed hospital building and have the potential for consequent planning impacts which, together with the issue of visual impact, will be important considerations for the Board in determining any future application.

An Bord Pleanála made it quite clear, no matter what new application came forward about the Mater Hospital, that there was still going to be difficulties even with a reduction in height.

The site at St. James's Hospital is good. It will be a trilocation and will provide an adult facility. The Coombe Hospital is quite close plus we will have a new facility. We will be able to provide a comprehensive service when they are all working together.

It is important to have a maternity hospital close by. A lot of difficulties can be identified before a baby is born and a pregnant woman can be transferred to the new facility once her baby is born. Tri-location is crucial and I thank the Minister for making the proposal.

I agree with Senator MacSharry that it is important that the planning and consultation processes be expedited and that we build at the earliest possible date.