Tanaiste Simon Harris today showed real gumption and leadership by claiming that the State will “robustly push back” against any additional cost demands by the developer of the mythical National Children’s Hospital.
The hospital, which been under construction by contractors BAM! since 2016, at a cost of over €2 billion is now due to fully open in 2026, meaning a child conceived when the first spade went into the ground would now be close to completing primary school.
“I’ve told BAM! that enough is enough,” said Harris. “They can take the piss out of us for nine years, but no one pulls the wool over Fine Gael’s eyes for a full decade. If the hospital isn’t completed in time I’ll continue to complain loudly to the media as if I bear zero responsibility.”
“Critics are saying it’s very much a case of BAM! and the money is gone, but we reject such slander,” said a BAM! spokesperson, calling from the company private jet. “We have a number of very detailed spreadsheets that can be provided as appropriate, depending who’s asking.”
Health Minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill is believed to have a very strongly worded email saved in her drafts should BAM! go over budget and time yet again.