Every director of midwifery in Ireland has written to the government in recent days, to ask that the new National Maternity Hospital goes ahead.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has also told his parliamentary party the state will have 'effective ownership' of the site.
The Oireachtas health committee yesterday called for the project to be delayed, amid concern over its independence.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee has been responding to calls for the state to own the hospital's land outright.
"What we will have through this agreement is a 299 year lease for €10 a year. I mean that is all but in name ownership.
"The lifespan of a hospital is certainly not as long as 299 years. I think that commitment is clear.
"You also have for these an integrated site, but we will own this hospital. This will be clinically operationally and financially independent."
