Rónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms O'Shea and thank her for her statement. The statement is a troubling one to me because she and those she represents are clearly of great eminence. Ms O'Shea used very forthright language about her concerns, which she stated are shared by eminent professionals in the field. As noted by the Chairman, it is fair to say that there is a lot of concern about the fact that this committee does not have the legal power, if one likes, to reverse a Government decision. I want to confirm if Ms O'Shea is aware of that fact. Am I right in thinking that what she is asking this committee is to form a view, either individually or collectively, on whether the Government has made the right decision? Is she then asking us to use whatever moral force we might have as a committee, if we are convinced by her argument, to call on the Government to change its decision at this stage? Does Ms O'Shea understand that we do not have the power to change a Government decision and is it her view that we ought to use our collective voice as a health committee to call on the Government to change the decision? Whatever decision we might choose to make is a separate matter.

Ms O'Shea stated that the group has no vested interest. I have no reason to disbelieve her, but is that true of each of the members of the group individually as well as collectively? For example, Dr. Sheehan, who I have heard speak very impressively, is a man of considerable accomplishment in the provision of health care in the private sector. Is it the case that none of them has, if one likes, skin in the game in terms of their professional or financial interests? I do not mean to be offensive in asking that question, but it is important because this group is making serious claims about a decision it believes to be seriously wrong financially in terms of children's health care and so on. We have to ask if those in the group have any skin in the game that we ought to know about when considering what it has to say.

If the decision is so wrong on so many fronts, why does Ms O'Shea think it was taken? Does she believe it was some kind of a political decision. I think it was noted in a submission by Dr. Sheehan that the Government decision was announced very quickly after the receipt of the Dolphin report. I think it was overnight, as it were. Does Ms O'Shea believe there was anything improper in that?

What is Ms O'Shea's view on the question of whether the St. James's site is future-proofed for expansion? She claims it cannot happen and that there are limitations around parking and the size of certain important facilities etc. What is her view of the case being made by the proponents of the St. James's site about future expansion?

Can Ms O'Shea stand over her claim about the net cost. It is important to note that steps have already been taken. We can all recall the electronic voting scenario. Steps were taken and machines were purchased but then it never happened. There was quite a lot of scandal that tens of millions of taxpayers' money was wasted. Surely that argument can be made were the diggers in St. James's to be stalled now. Is it seriously Ms O'Shea's view that the net cost of continuing is far greater than the net cost of changing at this stage. That is obviously a financial costs question rather than one concerning children's welfare.