Minister signals BAM should not bid for NMH project
Ireland's Minister for Health has suggested that construction firm BAM should not bid for the new National Maternity Hospital project due to ongoing fire safety certification issues at the National Children's Hospital. The government is currently reviewing the business case for the new facility.
Why it matters
This highlights significant accountability issues in public infrastructure projects and potential friction between the government and major contractors.
The Minister for Health has indicated that contractor BAM should not tender for the new National Maternity Hospital project at Elm Park, as she revealed that she has informed Cabinet about fire certification problems at the National Children's Hospital, for which BAM is responsible.
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said that the business case for the new maternity facility on the St Vincent's Hospital grounds will be brought to Cabinet this autumn.
She noted that a lot of the preparatory work has been ongoing at the site, and said that the tendering process will not get underway until the Cabinet approves the project.
When asked about further reported delays to the National Children’s Hospital, the minister said that she brought a memo to Cabinet this week which has detailed issues which have arisen.
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