Cost of Children’s Hospital dominates in last days of Dáil term

“Extraordinary stuff”.

This is how the leader of Fianna Fáil, Micheál Martin, has described the escalating costs of the National Children's Hospital, which makes our lead today.

He has pointed out the cost went from an initial estimation of €485 million to €650 million in 2016 after planning permission was obtained. As The Irish Times revealed last week, that cost has now ballooned to at least €1.4 billion.

“This is despite the fact that on 27 September, and the week before that in reply to a parliamentary question asked by Deputy Barry Cowen, the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, said it would be about €983 million. In the space of about six weeks it has apparently gone from less than €1 billion to €1.4 billion, which is extraordinary stuff,” remarked Martin.

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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has been at pains to point out that although this could well be one of the most expensive healthcare facilities in the world, it will also be one of the best.

But the Opposition have the scent of a potential scandal and are demanding further answers on how this came to pass, especially given those comments from Simon Harris up to six weeks ago.

As we report today, the completion of the hospital will now be delayed by a further nine months, to August 2022. The extra months of construction will cost an additional €90 million.

Ministers have approved an independent review of the cost escalation “so that any potential weaknesses are identified” in relation to the project.

But the final cost of the project is almost certain to rise further, as we note today.

So while the Dáil term is winding to a close, expect to hear much more about the hospital issue when the new year dawns.

The nightmare after Christmas

Speaking of which, TDs of all hues are eyeing with weary exhaustion the start of the Christmas recess tonight.

The Government has limped to the finishing line after a year resplendent with crises – from broadband to housing to healthcare and beyond.

While many politicians (and yours truly) are excited to ditch the real world for a few days, others are already terrified about what awaits them on the other side.

It’s not a mystery: the answer is more Brexit chaos. For as long as the British political system remains in a state of perpetual catastrophe, no-deal preparations will ramp up in the immediate future.

Labour leader Brendan Howlin points out the Government wants to pass 45 pieces of legislation next year in case the dreaded hard Brexit comes to pass.

But in the new year there are 29 scheduled sitting days between the return of the Dáil and March 29th, the date for the UK’s exit from the EU.

Not all of the legislation will be primary legislation – some will be statutory instruments that can be enacted at the stroke of a ministerial quill. But daunting work it will be, raising the prospect that other much-needed legislation will take a back seat.

There will be more dire warnings today when the European Union publishes its no-deal plans.

As Denis Staunton reports, the EU will today make clear it will “not negotiate any ‘mini-deals’ with the UK but will instead take unilateral action to protect European citizens and businesses from the economic impact of a no-deal Brexit”.

Read his piece here.

Best reads

Miriam Lord writes on the "politics of condemnation". This follows fiery scenes in the chamber yesterday over the recent eviction of three elderly siblings from their home in Roscommon by a group of private security men from a company in Northern Ireland.

Conor Lally has the latest on what's happening at the property here.

More trouble for the Government after the break as specialists in public health medicine are to commence industrial action in mid-January, reports Martin Wall.

This piece from Simon Carswell was one of our most read stories yesterday, as one journalist feels the Brexit blues.

Playbook

Dáil

It’s the last day of the Dáil, so there’s lots on the agenda.

Regina Doherty will kick proceedings off with questions on her brief at 10:30am.

The last Leader’s Questions will take place at midday.

Leo Varadkar will take Taoiseach’s questions at 1:02pm.

Topical issues will be taken at 5:17pm.

Five Bills will be taken during Government business including the Age of Retirement Bill, which will raise the age at which certain public servants are required to retire to 70.

Seanad

The Seanad will take commencement matters at 10:30am

The beleaguered Judicial Appointments Bill will return at 2:30pm.

The Social Democrats Parental Leave Bill is up at 6:30pm. If passed, this would allow parents to take a total of six months (26 weeks) unpaid leave from their jobs without their employment rights being affected.

The Local Government Bill 2018 will also be debated after 6:30pm.