Yesterday we heard that the Tánaiste's Cabinet colleague, the Minister, Deputy Harris, suggested that alternative sites were being examined for the future national maternity hospital. Tallaght, in particular, was mentioned as a possibility. Can the Tánaiste confirm whether the Government is indeed looking at alternative sites and, if it is, which sites, and what stage is that at? If an alternative site was to be chosen, how long would it delay the project? Will the Tánaiste confirm, so we are all crystal clear on it, who is leading this on behalf of the Government? Is it the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, or the former Minister for Health, Deputy Harris?

I am not aware of any plans to look at alternative sites for the national maternity hospital. The Government considered it some time ago and decided, for good, clinical, patient safety and patient quality reasons, that all four maternity hospitals should be relocated and co-located with adult hospitals. That is the case in Limerick, with University Maternity Hospital moving to the Dooradoyle site. It is also the case with the Rotunda Hospital moving to the Connolly Hospital and the tri-location of the Coombe with the children's and adult hospitals in St. James's Hospital. The most obvious and best fit for Holles Street and the national maternity hospital, notwithstanding the enormous complications, is St. Vincent's hospital. I am not aware of any plans to look at alternative sites.