Reilly admits children's hospital won't be built by 2016

James Reilly is admitting the plan to have a new national children's hospital open in 2016 won't now be met.

The health minister is hoping to announce the location of the facility tomorrow after cabinet approval.

It is now widely expected that St James's Hospital in Dublin will be chosen and the minister has rejected claims that moving away from the Mater site will cost as much as €140m.

But Minister Reilly says no matter where it is built, it can't now open as planned in 2016: "Will it be built by 2016? That was the original intention before we ran into planning issues at the Mater site. I don't think it's achievable anymore," he said.

Meanwhile, Reilly is also warning consultants to accept recommendations on pay and practices or lose the protection of the Croke Park Agreement.

The Labour Court is expected to issue recommendations this afternoon.

The Irish Hospital Consultants Association refused to attend the hearing, claiming the issues fell outside the scope of the Croke Park deal.

But the minister is adamant consultants need to be bound by the ruling today.