Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will respond to the Senator's comment. I reiterate that all Senators are disappointed, frustrated and annoyed at the cost overrun. It should not have happened, but it did. We must now ensure there will be value for money in building the hospital which will be the best children's hospital in the world, although it will not be the most expensive. We need to maintain a sense of perspective, rather than hysteria, in our debate. We are reprofiling a figure of €100 million out of a capital budget of €7 billion. Having regard to the cancellation of €27 million in funding for the A5 to Derry road project, I ask the Sinn Féin Senators to reflect on their lack of involvement and engagement at Stormont. On the question of accountability and apologies, we know well that Sinn Féin's approach to them is non-existent, unless its members are dragged in and forced to apologise. We know well how they behave.

In response to Senators Conway-Walsh and Devine on the nurses issue, I welcome the intervention of the Labour Court and its recommendation. I acknowledge that Senator Devine is trying to play to her gallery and constituency, but I am sure she knows that the Government has no part to play in the INMO process and its executive council which will now begin to ballot its members. It is independent of the Government-----