A COSTLY EXIT
Children’s hospital chief quits as bill spirals towards the €2bn mark
Colette with an 11-month-old Oisin on the picket line in 1999
Tom Costello resigned citing concerns about “reputational damage” as ongoing reports revealed shocking overspends.
It was revealed before the Public Accounts Committee on Thursday the price tag for the project has almost quadrupled from the original estimate of €500million.
Mr Costello, former chair of the National Paediatric Hospital Development Board, said: “I have acted with professionalism and integrity in all my dealings with the project stakeholders including the Health Minister and his department. Every decision made by the board has been guided by what was deemed best for the project.
“I am concerned about the reputational damage the ongoing commentary about the increased cost of the hospital is having on this critically important project and so I have decided to step down from my role to help ensure that focus is restored on delivering the project.”
A spokesman for Simon Harris said: “The Health Minister has accepted the resignation of Tom Costello as chairperson of the National Paediatric Hospital Development
Mr Costello Board. The Health Minister thanked Mr Costello for his service and his exceptional commitment to the project for the past six years, noting that his decision to step down is motivated by this same overriding commitment.” Meanwhile, Fianna Fail’s public expenditure spokesman Barry Cowen has accused the Government of hiding the rocketing costs of the hospital. He said the Government and Minister Harris have misled the Dail in their replies for months. news@irishmirror.ie