In a statement to the Sunday Tribune this weekend, the Crumlin board said it shared the hopes of archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin that "it will be possible to continue in a process of transparent dialogue which reaches out to, and engages more sensitively with, the interests of all involved to ensure that a world class facility is built for the sick children of Ireland."

The board rejected suggestions that it was in breach of good corporate governance by taking last week's decision without informing the archbishop, who is chairman of the board. It insisted the board was entitled to make that decision, but "regrets" that Martin did not have the opportunity to be involved.