Concerns have been raised in recent weeks about the proposed new national maternity hospital. These concerns centre on ownership and services to be provided at the hospital. We have also learned that if work does not commence by the end of the year, we may have to begin the planning process all over again in order to ensure that the building meets new environmental standards set by new building rules. These are all very legitimate concerns for a national facility that everyone wants to see built. On the status of the building, compliance with the energy performance rules and the concerns that we may have to go back to the drawing board, I ask the Tánaiste to clarify when building will commence and to confirm that the hospital will be completely publicly owned. Does the Government have a contingency plan to ensure the swiftest possible delivery of this really important national resource?

We are anxious to get on with this infrastructural project, which will be the largest ever investment in the maternity area in Ireland. The Minister for Health is very anxious to progress it as quickly as possible. A team of people is working on that right now across the relevant hospitals as well as in the Department. I will ask the Minister to send a note to the Deputy providing an update.