Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I assume the Minister for Justice and Equality would be the relevant Minister. That is what I would envisage. I will revert back to Senator Horkan in due course. The Senator, along with Senators Conway-Walsh and Devine, also made reference to the issue of the national children's hospital. Any of us who is fair and who has been involved in this issue must be concerned about the rising costs. I was involved as Chair of the Joint Committee on Health and Children for five years. An explanation is needed. I am talking off the top of my head now but, even allowing for some type of construction inflation, the level of increase is way beyond what would be envisaged, notwithstanding the contribution of Senator Devine regarding the local issue. Before the last general election I was on the Joint Committee on Health and Children and we went on a site visit. There are local concerns, as Senator Devine has said. I know that she, and other Members from her constituency area, such as the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, have articulated and voiced those concerns and have met with local residents. I have been part of groups that have met with local residents in the past.

We all want to see a national children's hospital constructed. We need it. Our country requires it. In saying that, however, it is also important to say that this could potentially have an impact on other capital projects and that is very unfair. I believe Senator Conway-Walsh was indirectly accusing me through her implication regarding Sinn Féin economics. The important point is that the Government signed off on a project of €1 billion in April 2017. We are very much committed to it. It is important that we understand and hear what the Minister had to say in Cabinet today. I was not in Cabinet, so I am not familiar with the up-to-date situation. We will have that debate in due course.