Children's hospital oral hearing opens

A public oral hearing into the proposed children's hospital at the Mater Hospital in Dublin has opened.

The Government has yet to give the final go-ahead for the project if it gets planning permission.

A number of concerns have been raised about the proposed facility. Locals say the building is too high and parents' groups say the location is undesirable in terms of traffic.

Barrister for the National Paediatric Hospital Development board Michael O'Donnell has told the hearing this morning that the applicants hope to allay these concerns because there is an urgent need for the hospital.

Doctor Roisin Healy of the New Children's Hospital Alliance - which is against the Mater site - says they hope An Bord Pleanala will take their side - and turn down the application.