'No plan B' if hospitals can't resolve row over new National Maternity Hospital

Speaking in the Seanad this morning Mr Harris said he hoped an agreement around the governance of the new hospital will be reached as he said there is “no simple option” if Holles Street National Maternity Hospital and the St Vincent's Hospital Group “walk off the pitch”.

Mr Harris appointed the head of the Workplace Relations Commission Kieran Mulvey to mediate the row between both bodies which has stalled the development of the much needed hospital.

The two sides have been involved in a protracted dispute over the governance of the new hospital which will be built on the grounds of St Vincent's Hospital.

Questioned by senator Kevin Humphreys who described the spat as a “turf war”, Mr Harris said he hoped an agreement could be reached in the coming days.

Mr Harris said: “Let me be very clear. This is a priority project for me. I have invested a significant amount of time in this project since becoming Minister for Health because we are close to delivering a landmark project for maternity services, not just in the Dublin area but a national maternity hospital that cares for some of our sickest newborn infants.

“I have to be very honest with the Senator. There is not an apparent plan B. That is why it is so important that the hospitals get this right.”

The minister added: “If these hospitals walk off the pitch, there is no simple option. The only people who will suffer, along with front-line staff, are the future expectant mothers of this country and their babies.

“We cannot allow that to happen. This process has to work. I need be very careful about what I say because I do not want to say anything that will undermine the mediation process in any way,” Mr Harris told the Seanad.

Mr Humphreys said: “I wish the mediation every success and offer it every encouragement, but both hospitals have to be practical and put the health of mothers and children first.”