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Sinn Féin claims meetings reveal existence of sub-committees within sub-committees at National Children's Hospital

Sinn Féin claims meetings reveal existence of sub-committees within sub-committees at National Children's Hospital

Fianna Fáil is insisting that more needs to be known about the effects of the overspend for the new National Children's Hospital.

About €100m is being diverted from a range of projects to cover the extra cost, but Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe says no key projects will be delayed or cancelled.

Health Minister Simon Harris apologised to the Dáil yesterday, and will face more questions over the matter today.

Sinn Féin claims meetings reveal existence of sub-committees within sub-committees at National Children's Hospital

Fianna Fáil's Health Spokesperson, Stephen Donnelly, wants more clarity.

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Mr Donnelly said: "The Government announcement on exactly what projects are going to be affected by the massive cost overruns of the National Children's Hospitals is disappointing.

"It lacks detail, it is essentially a political document. We need to know exactly what projects are going to be affected, where and when."

Minutes of board meetings for the project reveal more layers to the problems at the crisis-hit facility, according to Sinn Féin TD, Louise O'Reilly.

Ms O'Reilly said documents released yesterday show the existence of sub-committees within sub-committees.

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She also said Minister Harris kept the information, not just from taxpayers, but also from Fianna Fáil during confidence and supply negotiations

Sinn Féin claims meetings reveal existence of sub-committees within sub-committees at National Children's Hospital

Ms O'Reilly said: "Bearing in mind he had information that was material to the budgetary process, also material to the Fianna Fáil confidence and supply review and negotiations and lastly, very very much material to those people who work hard to pay tax.

"And he kept that information to himself."

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