Sinn Féin's spokesperson on health, David Cullinane TD, has said the Government — including Simon Harris and Fine Gael — must accept responsibility for the latest turmoil at the National Children's Hospital, arguing they signed off on a flawed contract and repeatedly failed to take control of the project.

Teachta Cullinane said: "The reports of more than 200,000 defects, unresolved fire safety compliance concerns and the absence of any credible completion date are absolutely staggering.

"At this late stage, after years of delays and a cost that has spiralled to €2.24 billion, the Government still cannot tell parents, children or taxpayers when this hospital will finally open.

"The main contractor, BAM, has very serious questions to answer. It cannot dodge responsibility for delays, defects or any alleged failure to meet its contractual obligations.

"But neither can the Government wash its hands of this disaster. "Simon Harris and Fine Gael signed off on a flawed contract, failed to put proper safeguards in place to allow the contractor to be held to account and presided over years of delay, cost overruns and crisis after crisis.

"This project has become a monument to gross Government incompetence and a breathtaking refusal to accept responsibility.

"The contractor blames the Government. The Government blames the contractor. Meanwhile, children and families are left waiting and the taxpayer is forced to pick up the bill.

"The Government has been warned repeatedly about the risks surrounding this project, yet it has failed time and again to demonstrate proper oversight, accountability or control.

"The contractor must be held fully accountable for its failures, but the political responsibility rests with the Government.

"The buck stops with Simon Harris, Fine Gael and the Government. They cannot continue to point the finger at everyone else while refusing to accept responsibility for one of the greatest failures in the history of the State."