Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yes. I was concerned that someone had written in a book of comments for parents the following comment: "Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be near my child." The child in question was particularly sick and being near one's child should not be considered something for which parents should be grateful. Parents have a right to look after our sick children when they are in hospital. Our children deserve the best when they are at their most vulnerable.

I read recently a comment by the Minister for Health that the new children's hospital will be a beacon of light for everyone in paediatric care.

I read recently that the Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly, said the new children's hospital will be a beacon of light for all of us in paediatric care. It is now envisaged that the hospital will not be built until 2018. I call on the Minister to come to the House to assure us that the standards in our existing hospital will be maintained while we await the building of the new one.