Cabinet to discuss site for new children’s hospital

The Cabinet is due to discuss the controversy surrounding the proposed site for a new national children's hospital at its weekly meeting today.

The task force set up to examine the matter has recommended the facility be located beside the Mater in north Dublin.

However, it emerged yesterday that Crumlin Hospital and St James' Hospital had both written to Minister for Health Mary Harney expressing major concerns about the decision.

They say the site is unsuitable due to limited space and claim the selection process was not carried out with enough rigour.

Ms Harney, however, backed the decision and said yesterday that she was confident her cabinet colleagues would support it.