Rabbitte: Children's Hospital an 'absolute commitment'

Minister for Communications and Energy Pat Rabbitte has said the proposed new Children's Hospital will go ahead despite a delay in naming the Government's preferred location.

Health Minister James Reilly was expected to recommend a site before the Dáil's summer break. That decision has now been put off until September.

Pat Rabbitte said he had expected a recommendation by now, but added it was important that the Government got the decision right.

"It's an absolute commitment - the Children's Hospital will go ahead," he said. "I hope the location, wherever it is, will be accepted."

Referring to past delays and controversies surrounding the location of the hospital, he said: "What happened in the past is regrettable, but this Government has to get it right."

He added: "The sooner Minister Reilly comes to government, the better."