I thank the Leas-Chathaoirleach.

I thank the 22 Senators who contributed on the Order of Business for raising a multiplicity of questions. Some did not raise any question at all. I do not want to create a political row with Senator Catherine Ardagh, but I did endeavour to work with her yesterday to have the matter raised by her on the Order of Business addressed. It is very important that I reiterate that the national children's hospital is and was a flagship project for this and the previous Government. I make this quite clear yesterday, but the Senator chose not to listen to me for her own reasons, which is fair enough. The Government is committed to the project, as the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne, said in the House.

The Leader did not answer my questions.

We will hear the Leader, without interruption.

As somebody who chaired the then Joint Committee on Health and Children and went to visit the site with the committee, we should stop playing politics with the national children's hospital.

I do not doubt the Leader's commitment, but none of my questions was answered.

I refer, in particular, to individuals outside the House who were orchestrating campaigns and trying to create and sow seeds of confusion in people's minds.

On a point of order, this is a matter of public importance, but they wre simple questions. As I said, I do not doubt the Leader's commitment or that of any representative to the project.

With respect, that is not a point of order. I must rule the Senator out of order. The Leader to continue, without interruption.

The Government recognises the importance of the national children's hospital project. The Department of Health, the HSE, the national children's hospital group and the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board are continuing to work to ensure a world class facility will be delivered. I share Senator Catherine Ardagh's view that we should have it. As I said yesterday, an evaluation of tenders has taken place and the Minister is bringing a business case to the Government. Let us all celebrate when it is up and running.

Senators Catherine Ardagh and Máire Devine referred to the decision of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation, INMO, to take industrial action. As Senators Colm Burke and Máire Devine who I know worked in the health sector said, it is important that we recognise and understand there is an awfu llot of activity taking place in the health system. There is a huge responsibility entrusted in nurses, men and women, who work in hospitals. I accept that they have had to endure a torrid time in the past decade, in particular, but it is important to recognise also that recruitment is taking place. Staff are being recruited. We must welcome the fact that there are nearly 1,000 posts being filled. If we need to increase the numbers employed as nurses in the health sector, I will support and work with Senator Maire Devine to achieve this.