Sinn Féin has called on the management and Board of St Vincent's Hospital to revisit its position and allow the planning application to proceed to develop the National Maternity Hospital.

Health spokesperson Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD spported the stance taken by Heath Minister Leo Varadkar.

Deputy Ó Caoláin said: "Negotiations for the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital from Holles Street to the St Vincent's Hospital campus have been ongoing for a number of years.

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"The relocation is required due to the inadequate infrastructure at Holles Street and to help ensure the best outcomes for mothers and babies.

"However, the recent reiteration by the Board of St Vincent's of its demand to totally subsume the Board of the National Maternity Hospital was totally unacceptable.

"I welcome the stance taken by outgoing Health Minister Leo Varadkar supporting the retention of the NMH Board and its management model in the context of the move to St Vincent's."

(CD)