The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) confirmed last week that the Mater is situated in prohibited airspace due to the nearby location of Mountjoy Prison and that this would preclude helicopters from landing at the site.

However, following consultation with the Mater authorities, a spokeswoman for the IAA later said that the authority saw no reason to object to the development and use of a helipad at the Mater.

"The Mater Hospital, as it is at the moment, is in an area of restricted airspace, " Liliam Cassin, corporate communications manager with the IAA, said. "It is a prohibited zone because of its proximity to Mountjoy, where the airspace is restricted.

"The Department of Justice has stated that they have no objection to the lifting of flight prohibitions in the vicinity of Mountjoy prison in order to allow patient transfers and medical emergencies at the proposed new hospital development."

She added that if the proposed relocation of Mountjoy Prison does not proceed, then then IAA would "modify restrictions in the [Mater Hospital] area if a request was made to the IAA by the Department of Justice."

Under current arrangements, helicopters bringing patients to the Mater have to land at an army barracks near the hospital in the north of Dublin city centre.

"The Mater has full planning permission since 2004 for a helipad at the new campus, " a Mater spokesman said.