Howlin calls for school competition to name new National Children’s Hospital

Speaking in the Dáil today, Labour Party Leader, Brendan Howlin TD, asked the Minister for Health to consider running a competition in our schools to name the new National Children’s Hospital.

Deputy Howlin said:

“The general scheme of the Children’s Health Bill as published has left blank the name of the National Children’s /hospital.

“In light of possible legal action by the children’s hospital in Phoenix Arizona against the state due to copying the name will you now commit to changing it?

“Many of us would prefer if it was simply called the National Children’s Hospital. I think we should regard this as a fortuitous development and an opportunity not a difficulty. We should certainly not expend any additional resources in defending use of a name that, in my view, does not resonate with our citizens.

“There might also be something to be said for allowing the people for whom the hospital is being built, the children of Ireland, to determine a name for their facility. 

“A competition, run through the schools system, with the support of your colleagues in the Department of Education, would be an innovative and appropriate way to mark the advent of a development that I was proud to have played a part in getting off the ground.”