Welcoming the choice of St. James's Hospital as the location for the new national children's hospital, Oisín Ó hAlmhain, Green Party health spokesperson says that it is now time to look forward and plan not to have any further hiccups in making the project happen.

Oisín Ó hAlmhain said: "Poor consultation and a failure to take adequate account of planning shortcomings caused a delay in the project when the Mater site had to be shelved last year. Let's make sure that no stone is left unturned in making certain that the planning application for the Rialto site takes all possible issues into account.

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"It will be essential that residents in the area are contacted as soon as possible, and their fears of traffic and construction problems, as well as being overlooked by a large concrete structure, are taken on board. Too often major infrastructural projects, many of which are very desirable, are forced through, only to reach hurdles at a later point. If local residents and other concerned citizens are allowed to have an involvement in the process from an early point then the planning process will run more smoothly.

"A comprehensive traffic management plan will be needed for the construction phase, and also when the hospital has been built. The narrow streets of Kilmainham are already subject to gridlock for a significant portion of the day.

"The building of a children's hospital here is also notable as the neighbourhood lacks any facilities for children. Perhaps it would be a timely opportunity to construct a playground on or near the hospital site which would benefit the siblings of sick children and those living locally. At present there is only one public playground in Dublin 8 which is not part of a housing development."

(CD/IT)