'Letters of comfort' clear the way for new National Maternity Hospital

A model of the new National Maternity Hospital on the St Vincent's campus. Picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins

The Government will finally sign off on a new National Maternity Hospital after "letters of comfort" confirming that abortions will be performed at the site ended any resistance to the plan among ministers.

Green Party deputy leader Catherine Martin, who had been the sole minister refusing to back the project, has now said she is supporting the hospital’s relocation to the St Vincent’s Hospital site in Dublin 4.