Sir, – When a cabinet minister in 2013, it is my recollection that when first proposed the new children’s hospital was first costed at €650 million and the projected opening date was 2018. The cost is now projected at €2.3 billion and I believe there is no prospect of it being fully operational before 2026.
Among the myriad difficulties has been the extraordinary reported 23,000 design changes made since building first commenced. Major questions surround the planning, design, oversight, construction and accountability. The delay, design changes and increased costs are a major scandal that requires a comprehensive judicial inquiry in the immediate aftermath of the hospital finally opening. – Yours, etc,
ALAN SHATTER,
Dublin 16.