I am in the process of establishing an independent group to consider the implications of the decision of An Bord Pleanála received on 23 February 2012 to reject the planning application for the proposed construction of a national paediatric hospital on the site of the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. The independent group will, as part of their review, consider all issues relevant to the location of the new children's hospital and will inform me of their findings on conclusion.
I wish to re-affirm my commitment to the construction of a national children's hospital as a Government priority.