There have been media reports that the experts had nothing to do with the location decision (which they didn't) and that they were only called on the phone (which they were).

The HSE has admitted that, in hindsight, it should have made this more clear in its report. But who are these experts and what exactly did they recommend?

Page 33 of the HSE location report lists the experts and states what they were asked to advise on. Each expert was asked about the benefits of colocating the new hospital with an adult teaching hospital and a maternity unit, and this was found to be important. They were also asked whether the new hospital should have a level one trauma centre and they all agreed this would be an important part of tertiary care.

The experts are:

Professor Sir Alan Craft, Professor of paediatrics, University of Newcastle and president of the Royal College of Paediatrics. Telephone interview.

Craft wrote to the Irish Times last week clarifying his participation in the report. He was not involved in the decision to choose the Mater site, he said.

Dr Mike Berman, paediatric cardiologist and former executive vice president and director of New York Presbyterian Hospital. Berman visited Ireland, the only one of the experts to do so. He said the ongoing debate is "a common battle that occurs every time a children's hospital is chosen."

Dr Tony Cull, chief executive of the Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne. Telephone interview.

Professor Les White, chief executive of Sydney Children's Hospital. Telephone interview.

Dr Tony Penna, chief executive of Westmead Children's Hospital, Sydney.

Telephone interview.

Dr Steven Altshuker, chief executive of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

Telephone interview.

Professor Andrew Calder, chair of advisory group, New Children's Hospital, Glasgow.

Telephone interview.