Children's hospital resignation raises concern of delays

Concern has been raised about further delays in opening the National Children's Hospital, after reports that interim Chief Executive of Children's Health Ireland (CHI) Fiona Murphy has resigned.

The Irish Independent has reported that Ms Murphy, who had taken on the role on an interim basis, has taken up a post elsewhere.

The Social Democrats said the development raises "very serious questions" about the management of the hospital project and the "repercussions it could have".

Party candidate Jennifer Whitmore said this comes at a sensitive time for the project when the three existing hospitals, managed by CHI, should be preparing to move into one single hospital.

If this is not "rectified quickly", she said, the new hospital could be an "empty shell - that there is actually no one working there because that planning hasn't happened".

Ms Whitmore said the Government must ensure that a permanent chief executive is recruited immediately.

"The fact that we are now coming into December and not only is there not a permanent person in place, but the person who was acting in that position has left, I think that raises very, very serious questions as to the management of this and also what the repercussions will be," she said.