'Forthright' talks with BAM over NCH deadline, cttee told
by Fergal Bowers, https://www.facebook.com/rtenews/ · RTE.ieThe Minister for Health has told the Oireachtas Committee on Health that he had a "very clear and forthright discussion" with Royal BAM over the completion of the new National Children's Hospital.
"I very clearly put it to them that it was our view that the project was both consistently and substantially under-resourced," Stephen Donnelly said.
However, the minister would not say whether Royal BAM - the parent company of BAM Ireland - had agreed with his statements.
There had been concerns that the date for completion of the hospital could slip into 2026.
Minister Donnelly told Sinn Féin's Health Spokesperson David Cullinane that, if the committee was to call Royal BAM in, it could ask them for further details.
Deputy Cullinane questioned the merit of BAM's assurances, noting that the company has given no indication whether it accepts the basic facts that the project is under-resourced and overdue.
The minister said that he had asked the head of Royal BAM: "Why should I believe that June isn't simply going to be the 15th missed deadline?"
He then asked, "for Royal BAM to stand over that date".
"They did stand over that date. They have gone back now to interrogate that in detail with their own people," the minister said.
NCH completion date must face 'independent scrutiny', cttee told
Minister Donnelly said that the June 2025 date put forward by builders BAM, for the substantial completion of the new National Children's Hospital, must be subject to independent scrutiny.
He told the Committee that the contractual compliance and validity of the building programme needs to be determined by the independent contract administrator, the Employer's Representative.
Minister Donnelly added that he sought Royal BAM's commitment to provide early access for Children's Health Ireland's commissioning team to expedite certain operational commissioning activities.
"We in Government are committed to seeing the new children's hospital open for the treatment of children of this island open as soon as possible," he said.
"The level of quality required has not been met yet. They're more than capable of meeting the quality standards," the minister stated, noting that BAM has completed other projects for the State on time.
Mr Donnelly added that there are not enough workers or management on site, which is contributing to delays.
Alongside the construction of the new hospital, Mr Donnelly outlined that there is a significant programme of work to prepare for the opening of the new hospital, which will involve the integration of three hospitals and workforces.
Fine Gael TD Bernard Durkan said that despite the issues, the National Children's Hospital is a flagship project that should be encouraged and supported to finish the last 5%.
Deputy Durkan added that suggestions of going to court to resolve matters would be the wrong move.
'Upshot'
Asked "what exactly was the upshot" of the meeting with Royal BAM, Minister Donnelly replied: "Let's see. Let's see what comes out of it".
He told Social Democrats TD Róisín Shortall: "I hope it was a productive meeting".
Deputy Shortall noted the minister's recent comment that "BAM Ireland were seeking to extract as much money from the Irish taxpayer as possible".
"Did you repeat that charge to Royal BAM?" she asked, noting that it was a very serious claim to make.
"It was certainly raised at the meeting," Minister Donnelly insisted, but would not say what Royal BAM's response was.
"I don't want to characterise their responses.
"But you will appreciate they were not coming in accepting that they were fully at fault for everything."
He added: "Obviously, it's something that they would dispute."
When asked to confirm that Royal BAM had challenged the remark, the minister demurred, repeating that he does not "want to mischaracterise" anything.
"They wrote a letter in response where they did refute that allegation," the minister then said.