David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There is an obvious role for the contractor to resource the contract and I have called on the main contractor to do exactly that. I am interested in the hospital being built as quickly as possible for children. My main focus is on ensuring that we have a world-class, fit-for-purpose children’s hospital that is open and treating patients. The Minister used the example of a wall being built in someone’s house, but a houseowner would not accept all of these missed deadlines and would not just be telling everyone that it was terrible. The owner would be taking action and using whatever levers were available to them.

In everything I have heard from the Government, there has been a dodging of responsibility on its side. There is plenty of blame to go around, including for the contractor, but cheques are still being written. The contract does not contain the necessary levers to hold the contractor to account. The Government’s strategy is not to give the contractor any more money, and I see the wisdom in that, but that is not progressing the hospital. I asked the Minister a question today, so when he speaks again, he might answer it. All these years later, he is still not in a position to tell me, children or the people of Ireland when the hospital will be completed, handed over, open and treating children. He might prove me wrong when he takes to his feet, but I have not heard that date from him or anyone else in government.

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