Taoiseach says BAM cannot be barred from State contracts despite children’s hospital delays

Government advised EU procurement rules prevent factoring past performance into contract awards despite ongoing delays at flagship project

A construction worker at the construction site of the new National Children's Hospital in Dublin. File Picture: PA

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said there is no legally possible way to preclude the main contractor of the National Children’s Hospital from tendering for or being awarded contracts for other major projects.

The beleaguered National Children's Hospital has faced ongoing delays, with no current date provided to the Government, the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB), or CHI for its completion by contractor BAM. It has already been delayed 19 times.