"Simon Harris Should Hold His Tongue on Maternity Hospital" - Tóibín
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD has called for clarity from the government on whether or not they are considering moving the National Maternity Hospital to Tallaght.
Deputy Tóibín said:
"Today the main focus in the Dáil was on the National Maternity Hospital and its future. The government spent the day defending the controversy, but Dr Peter Boylan's revelations today are cause for concern. Simon Harris is making a complete mockery of this government and the democratic institutions of this state. A government Minister should not be making major announcements about an issue as serious as this on the doorsteps in Dublin Bay South. Minister Harris should hold his tongue and if he wishes to get involved in the debate then he should turn up to speak to the topic in the Dáil".
"It’s amazing that we are in a situation where a private citizen is more informed on the latest developments regarding the NMH than the opposition. No one knows where we stand, and the Minister’s spokesperson could only confirm that he had a ‘private conversation’ with Dr Boylan. No comment on the leak he made to Boylan, and no clarity offered. Simon Harris should keep his nose out of the Department of Health, he can hardly be considered an expert in hospital construction and value for money", concluded Tóibín.