Sir, – It is the Georgian squares that most strongly define our capital city. Yet they are under constant pressure from inappropriate development projects. The appeal decision on the Rotunda Hospital should be welcome. We must ask what due diligence was done for a proposal that would do so much damage to Dublin’s heritage. – Yours, etc,
DIARMUID Ó GRÁDA,
Clonskeagh,
Dublin 14.
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Sir, – The decision by An Coimisiún Pleanála to refuse permission for much-needed development at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin shows yet again that our planning system and structures are dysfunctional and in need of a major overhaul.
It is nearly 20 years since the decision was made not to allow construction of the Children’s Hospital beside the Mater, which set that project back by at least 10 years.
I can’t claim to be impartial, having headed up the estates function in my time with the HSE. I would, however, make a few observations on this decision. The proposal at the Rotunda sought to address important infrastructural risk and capacity concerns. This proposal had the support of the board of the hospital, the HSE, the Department of Health, successive ministers for health and, through them, the Government. The planning application was approved by Dublin City Council. This was appealed by to An Coimisiún Pleanála by two parties. The inspector acting for An Coimisiún recommended approving the application but this was overruled last week.
Whose interests are served here? Certainly not those of the babies born in the busiest maternity hospital in the country. Or those of their mothers, or those of the staff who strive to deliver the best quality care in challenging environments.
An coimisiún noted Government policy to co-locate the Rotunda in due course to Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown as a reason for refusal. This sounds pious in the extreme in the face of more immediate need to provide care today in clinically appropriate accommodation.
They also expressed concern about the impact of building on one side of Parnell Square, ignoring the fact the Rotunda Hospital predates most of the houses on the square, many of which continue to decay, and the fact that the square developed around the hospital buildings.
Close to one million babies have seen light of day at the Rotunda over a remarkable history of more than 250 years. The challenges presented by the existing hospital buildings, however, may not now be addressed comprehensively in the near future. Services will continue in suboptimal conditions. Any revised approach will face delay. Costs will increase significantly. And we will continue to wonder why it is so difficult to deliver critical infrastructure projects in Ireland. – Yours, etc,
PAUL de FREINE,
Shankill,
Co Dublin.
