Harris suggested Tallaght could be site for National Maternity Hospital, says Boylan

A spokesperson for Mr Harris said the conversation was private.

A spokesperson for Minister Simon Harris said the conversation between him and the former master of the National Maternity Hospital, Peter Boylan, was private. Picture Gareth Chaney/ Collins Photos

The former master of the National Maternity Hospital has said that Higher Education Minister Simon Harris suggested the new maternity hospital could be located at Tallaght instead of St Vincent's Hospital.

Dr Peter Boylan told RTÉ's Drivetime that he had spoken to Mr Harris last week when an alternative to the contentious decision to locate the €300m hospital at St Vincent's was discussed. He said that he believed the Government was "considering a Plan B" on the site in Tallaght.