60,000 people sign petition to change the planned location for new National Children's Hospital

A petition to change the site of where the new National Children's Hospital has garnered more than 60,000 signatures as pressure mounts on the government to review the plans for the building.

The go ahead has been given for building to commence at St James' Hospital in Dublin City Centre later this year, but there is outrage amongst a large portion of the population at the plans to build the new Children's Hospital in an area that is notoriously difficult to get to because of traffic congestion.

The alternative site that is being suggested is at Connolly Hospital in Blanchardstown, which would be close to the M50. That would be a much more accessible area for the majority of people in Ireland, and the Connolly for Kids group have outlined that there is also plenty of space for further expansion in the area, should the hospital be built there.

“Connolly for Kids Hospital is asking Enda Kenny to build the new Children's Hospital at Connolly Hospital beside M50 instead of at St. James's Hospital in Dublin City Centre. Advantages of Connolly are: 145 acres - Unlimited space for expansion, Easier Access for all of Ireland, Extensive parking, Co-location with Connolly Adult Hospital & the new Rotunda Maternity Hospital and it will be Cheaper and Faster to build,” reads the text on the petition.

The petition was presented to Enda Kenny this afternoon.