Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael need to “take responsbility” for Rotunda confusion, says Sherlock

Labour TD Marie Sherlock has published legislation to force Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to “take responsibility for the future of the Rotunda Hospital” and “end the uncertainty it has allowed to drag on.”

The Planning and Development (Rotunda Hospital) Bill 2026 would require Government to formally clarify its co-location policy regarding the Rotunda and Connolly Hospital.  If Government intends for the Rotunda to remain at Parnell Square, the Bill would enable An Comisiúin Pleanála to re-open the appeal to consider updated Government policy.  

The Dublin Central TD said “the refusal of the Critical Care Wing at the Rotunda did not happen in a vacuum. It happened in the context of Government ambiguity and a failure by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to clearly state their policy on colocation.”

“This vacuum has had real consequences. Planning decisions are being made without a clear Government position – and women and babies are paying the price,” the Labour health spokesperson said.

“The legislation I’ve published today forces Government to stop hiding behind ambiguity. It must state now what its policy is for the short, medium and long-term future of the Rotunda,” she stated.

“Labour’s Bill facilitates An Comisiúin Pleanála to consider updated Government policy, but crucially maintains the independence of the Planning Commissioners.

She said that The Minister for Health has, on a number of occasions, “failed to provide any written confirmation on the future of the Rotunda and Connolly co-location. “

“Indeed the ambiguous statements contained within written answers by the Minister and by her officials last week are alarming and give rise to very significant concern that any future planning application may be rejected on the same grounds.”

Sherlock said “it is utterly unacceptable that the Rotunda would have to issue a fresh planning application with the same uncertainty about its location hanging over it. Furthermore, it is unconscionable that one arm of the State would feel forced to initiate judicial review proceedings against another arm of the State and in the process, incur a cost for the taxpayer running to hundreds of thousands of euro.”

“Not only is the Rotunda a key part of the heritage of our city, it accounts for almost 40% of deliveries in Dublin. The brilliant staff of the Rotunda achieve incredible outcomes in spite of the physical infrastructure and it is not acceptable that women, babies and indeed staff would have to put up with sub -par facilities. The Critical Care Wing has been spoken about for more than twenty years, and this Government could have and should have made its position clear during the planning process. Furthermore, the reality is that the clinical structures between the nearby Mater University Hospital and the Rotunda have been intensifying in recent years. This is a form of co-location which the Government has properly failed to recognise. 

“In that context, the Labour Party want to give Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil the opportunity to clarity its position once and for all.  

“On International Women’s Day, March 8th at 12 midday, we will host a rally to support the Rotunda and maternity services in our city. It is simply shambolic that women are yet again having to fight for adequate health care. Labour’s legislation provides a real chance to put an end to this – to save the Rotunda hospital and to protect women and babies.”