There is no question of closing the paediatric haematology unit of the new Tallaght hospital, according to the Minister for Health. There was never any proposal put to him to transfer the unit to Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin.

`It simply does not arise," said Mr Cowen, "contrary to some completely inaccurate media reports."

The only change to services would be that in future children diagnosed with leukaemia would have an initial assessment in Crumlin, and they would continue to be treated in Tallaght or other centres in Cork or Galway.

This was a recommendation of the National Cancer Forum, which was an independent body charged with developing the best cancer service policy and "with no axe to grind".

Mr Cowen also confirmed that he and the chairperson of the National Cancer Forum would be meeting the CHILD organisation (Children's Hospital in Leukaemia Drive) today.