Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Dr. Kathleen Lynn was a formidable woman, from what I read about her. She should be honoured for her republicanism. Somebody said here she is not a household name. I put the blame for that on those who belong to her party. I certainly will not take any blame for it. I was lucky enough to be part of a Government and party who built the children’s hospital with taxpayers' money. We got dog’s abuse for everything and at every step. It was said the siting of it should be on the Mater site or Blanchardstown. The Independents wanted it down the country and not in Dublin. It is interesting that after all of that and the commitment to build it, it is now a fine facility, absolutely world class, and we are proud of it. Sinn Féin is looking forward to opening the hospital if given the chance and Fianna Fáil wants to name it. I find it strange. That is a purely political point but I will make it.

The most important words in the naming of the children's hospital are “Children”, “Hospital” and “Ireland”. Whether it is named after Dr. Kathleen Lynn, General Michael Collins or whoever is a different matter. The most important thing is it is named based on what it is, which is a children's hospital in Ireland. When hiring the best paediatricians and consultants around the world, one wants to know they know exactly where they are coming to. I do not think we have a history of naming places after people and it can become controversial. We had a majority in these Houses some time ago. Maybe Sinn Féin will have it after the next election, who knows? Consider if we came in and said we wanted to name a new road after General Michael Collins or something else after somebody associated with our party. I have particular issues with it. I am reminded of the situation in the United States when Herbert Hoover was building the dam known initially as the Hoover Dam. There was a change in party representation and it became known as the Boulder Dam, then reverted back to the Hoover Dam. The most important thing is that a world-class children's hospital be built providing the best healthcare, that its name will have “Children’s”, “Hospital” and “Ireland” and that it will be of international renown and repute.

I do not feel we should go down the road of reopening history books in relation to naming public buildings. Dr. Lynn is a tremendous woman who did a tremendous amount. She should be honoured and should have been honoured before this. I said I would leave that to other individuals but I feel this is the wrong route to go down. I was part of the Government that took the tough decisions. Other parties talked about building a children's hospital for decades; we put the shoulder to the wheel. Dr. James Reilly was involved, and got dog’s abuse, as was Deputy Harris.