Did the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, get approval from Cabinet today for the first phase of construction of the National Maternity Hospital at St. Vincent's Hospital? The first phase is the car park and the pharmacy. Is the Taoiseach concerned that the National Maternity Hospital plans are in breach of the European Commission's energy performance of buildings directive updated in 2010? Under that directive, all new buildings owned and occupied by public authorities must be nearly zero energy buildings from 2019. Duncan Stewart was at the press conference this morning and he has warned that unless the design is revised before build, there would be serious consequences down the line with this EC directive and that it could cost the State millions of euro.

The answer to the Deputy's question is "No". However, I understand that the Minister, Deputy Harris, wants to give the Cabinet a verbal update on the progress of that project at the afternoon Cabinet meeting.