Simon Harris: Month to save maternity hospital project

Health Minister Simon Harris is seeking a one-month national maternity hospital reprieve in a bid to rescue the crisis-hit project from the brink of collapse.

Mr Harris announced the move as the hospital itself became embroiled in a fresh scandal over its attempt to remove board member Peter Boylan by text message over his criticisms of religious involvement in the site.

As St Vincent’s Healthcare Group separately published the new national maternity hospital’s legal independence assurances and said will carry out any legal procedure - potentially including abortions - once it opens, Mr Harris attempted to cool tensions surrounding the controversy.