Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for reading the reply from the Department of Health. I appreciate that the new temporary emergency department has opened. One could be cynical and suggest that all of this is a delaying tactic by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Health and permanent Government to ensure moneys are not spent.

There are also delays with larger projects. Initially, this project included maternity and paediatrics but was only what is called a "shell and core". It did not include fit-out but it encompassed the design of the building and the structure to allow that to go to planning. The shape and scale of the building was still there. Had that gone to planning, it could be under construction, allowing the fit-out at a later date. Now, because the fitting-out of these two buildings has been included, the project has been pushed over the €100 million threshold which means it must go through a series of stages before being allowed to proceed. If one wants to delay a project then there are plenty of ways to do so. The public spending code can easily delay the most worthy of projects for a long number of years and that is why I am frustrated about something that has been talked about for a decade, as the Minister of State said in her response. It has been described as not fit for purpose. That means it is not fit for purpose for patients and the hardworking staff who are under great pressure. It continuously has a high number of patients on trolleys and, unfortunately, it will continue to have for some years to come because of more delays.