Taoiseach: Reports of Children's Hospital issues a 'distraction' aimed at shifting focus from contractor

The Taoiseach has dismissed reports of significant issues with the new National Children's Hospital as an "unhelpful distraction" aimed at shifting the focus away from the contractor.

Leo Varadkar told the Dáil that he had not been told of fresh issues with 11 of the hospital's operating theatres that could set the hospital further over deadline and budget before they appeared in the media.