Trade unions SIPTU and Fórsa have backed a campaign to name the new National Children's Hospital after Kathleen Lynn, a doctor who lobbied for improved healthcare for young people in the early years of the State.
Many of the workers in the new hospital will be members of the two trade unions.
Assistant general secretary of Fórsa Lisa Connell said that in Dublin, many of the statues, infrastructure and buildings were named after men who were involved in the foundation of the State and this was not the case for women.
She was speaking at an event in Leinster House organised by Senator Mary Fitzpatrick as part of a campaign to name the hospital after Dr Kathleen Lynn, who helped to establish St Ultan's Hospital for Sick Infants in 1919.
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In 1935, Dr Lynn's attempt to amalgamate St Ultan's with the then National Children's Hospital in Harcourt Street was opposed by the Archbishop of Dublin Edward Byrne.
In the Dáil yesterday, Taoiseach Micheál Martin said that Dr Lynn "would be a very worthy choice" to name the new National Children's Hospital after.
Mr Martin said that "there is a lot that would lend favour to naming the hospital" after the "leading suffragette".
He was responding to Ivana Bacik Labour Party leader, who called for his support.
Today, TDs and Senators from a variety of parties backed the campaign to name the hospital after Dr Lynn.
Century Ireland: Lynn addresses high infant mortality rate among Dublin's poor
Senator Mary Fitzpatrick said that Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly also endorsed the campaign.
She added the final decision regarding the name rested with the board of the hospital.
But she said: "we all accept women's names have not been as prominent as they should be in our history."
She said the political campaign would carry weight on the issue.
