Can and will the Taoiseach and the Government provide a clear statement on the future location of the Rotunda Hospital? We are now two and a half weeks on from the decision of An Coimisiún Pleanála. The rejection of the critical care wing proposal boiled down to two main reasons, which were conservation and the 11-year-old policy of colocation with Connolly Hospital. We all know that nothing has been done to make that colocation happen. Nothing is being planned at the moment. Yet we see replies to parliamentary questions from the Minister for Health that still reference Connolly Hospital in relation to the Rotunda Hospital. Department of Health officials were tying themselves in knots last Wednesday at the Oireachtas health committee hearing.

I raise with the Taoiseach the serious concern that unless the Government makes a clear statement on the future location of the Rotunda Hospital, the ambiguity will jeopardise any future planning application by the Rotunda Hospital. For women and babies, we need that clarity and a lack of ambiguity from the Government.

The decision on the Rotunda Hospital was taken less than two weeks ago. The Minister will be making a clear statement on behalf of the Government on the issue. We had a good discussion yesterday at the Cabinet subcommittee on health. A very clear statement will be issued by the Minister. Consultations are obviously under way, which is to be expected to ensure that any statement issued has substance behind it and involves as wide and deep a consideration as possible. There will be that clarity.