SDLP Opposition Health Spokesperson Colin McGrath MLA has backed calls for a full independent inquiry into a new Maternity and Children’s Hospital in Belfast.

He said it was key to understanding the reasons for spiralling costs on the project.

There is a motion on the issue before the Assembly on Tuesday.

South Down MLA Mr McGrath said:

“It’s clear that there are mounting questions around lengthy delays and spiralling costs at the new Maternity and Children’s Hospital in Belfast. It has been disclosed that pseudomonas contamination has played a part in these delays, but that does not explain how the initial costs have more than doubled and that this hospital may not open until 2030 or beyond.

“The Assembly’s Health Committee recently received an update on this project from the Department of Health and the Belfast Trust and afterwards I was left with more questions than answers. At a time when our health budget is facing extreme pressure, we need clarity on how this has been allowed to happen and what efforts are being made to get it under control.

“The only way we can get to the bottom of this with openness and transparency is through a full independent inquiry. From the outset of this project we have had Health Ministers from the DUP, Sinn Féin and the UUP and I have no faith in this Executive’s ability to mark their own homework.”