Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

It is the case that the entire St. Vincent's operation, the entire campus and St. Michael's Hospital remain fully owned by the Religious Sisters of Charity. They have said at some point in the future they will transfer their shareholding into their own holding company. As of now, they still fully own the entire operation. Will the Minister be negotiating with that body? The Minister is saying that he hopes to reach agreement shortly. Whom will that agreement be with? That is the first question.

The new holding company has the same ethical code as the Religious Sisters of Charity. The ethical code is based on the founder of the order. The plan may be that it will be a lay organisation but it will be a lay Catholic organisation. Is the Minister aware of any hospital in the world that is built on land that is owned or was previously owned by a religious organisation that has got approval from the Vatican to transfer ownership of that site to a hospital that will provide the full range of women's healthcare services, including abortions which are outlawed by the Catholic Church?