Children's hospital name
Deputy Howlin asked about the forthcoming children's health legislation and the lack of a settled name for the new hospital. The Minister said naming was less important than building the hospital, that he would reflect further, and would work with colleagues on the best mechanism.
My question is directed to the Minister for Health. The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health recently carried out pre-legislative scrutiny of the children's health Bill 2017 which will establish a statutory body to provide paediatric acute services in Dublin at the new children's hospital. The general scheme, as published, did not include a name for the hospital. We now see there is going to be legal action from the state of Arizona concerning the use of the name Phoenix. Many of us would like to call it the national children's hospital. Some have suggested it be appropriately called after Dr. Kathleen Lynn. That would be a fitting tribute.
I suggest that we have a national competition, aimed at those who will use it, the children of Ireland. The Minister might consider organising a competition through the school system so that children can have an understanding and appreciation of the hospital and a validation through the children of an appropriate name for this vital infrastructure.
Comment on this
Deputy Howlin and I would agree that naming the hospital is not the most important thing. The most important thing is building the hospital.
Comment on this
Thankfully that is now under way after long years of stalling and not getting on with it. We are now getting on with it.
I made clear yesterday that I am going to reflect further on the name. The Deputy makes a very good suggestion. Children were involved in this name, as were staff working in the health service, but I will work with colleagues across the House when I bring forward the legislation to come up with the best mechanism.