Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the decision did not go the way of the committee member in question, there was a remark about it. We had this in the case of the Sláintecare report, from which Senators were excluded. This is wrong and unfair.

My understanding is that the cost overrun for the new national children's hospital will be €1.433 billion, which is an increase of €450 million. This is something we should have a debate on in the new year. In the Joint Committee on Health this morning, we decided to ask the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Health and representatives on the board of the national children's hospital to appear before us for clarification on this new cost increase. It is important there is full accountability to the taxpayers of this country and it would also be helpful to discuss the matter in this House.