Reilly knew of smaller hospital fears

Health Minister James Reilly was told on his appointment that reducing the scale of the €650m National Children’s Hospital on the Mater site would impact on patient care.

The information was contained in his departmental briefing document.

In response to An Bord Pleanála’s shock decision to reject the long-standing Mater site plans last week, the senior Fine Gael TD said a smaller version of the proposed facility was now a “distinct possibility”.