Children's Hospital architect 'can't see what fuss is about' regarding St James' site

The architect chosen to design the Children's Hospital at St James in Dublin has said he does not see any issues with the chosen site.

The design team today unveiled its plans for 384 in-patient beds, 14 theatres and more than 100 consulting rooms.

It is projected the hospital will deal with more than 28,000 inpatients every year.

The design team will be led by architect Benedict Zucchi from BDP who has worked on similar facilities in the UK.

He said the controversy over the chosen site at St James' Hospital in Dublin did not faze him.

"When we saw the site, we thought in a way 'What's the fuss about?'," he said.

"We've worked on hospital sites and projects that are much more challenging. The New Children's Hospital in Brighton for example is on a much tighter site in a very historically sensitive city. We got planning permission and built (it)."

Speaking at the announcement, Minister for Health Leo Varadkar said "this is the most exciting phase" of the project.

"Some who have been involved in the project all along might be frustrated that it has taken this long to get here. But we have made sure we have got the right decision, and we can now act with full confidence for the future," he said.

"It's now full steam ahead ... we've been promising it, and talking about it for far too long. Let's get building."