Mr. John O'Donoghue:

I will take that question. The lease is for 299 years. The only way it can be terminated is if there is a breach by either party. Basically, the State has to commence construction of the hospital within five years of the date of the lease. That can be extended by agreement between the parties. It sets a deadline for shovels to be in the ground and building to start. We have seen for how long this has gone on so far. If the State does not do that, St. Vincent's Healthcare Group can take back the site. That is not in question. There would be nothing on it. To be clear, if the State breaches its obligations during the 299-year term, St. Vincent's Healthcare Group can take back the site and the building on it. The obligations on the State are to build a hospital and ensure public healthcare is provided from that hospital. If it does not do so, St. Vincent's is entitled to take back the site and the building on it. As the Minister mentioned, if the building is no longer fit for purpose 70 years from now and the State decides it wants to convert it to apartments or to build a shopping centre, St. Vincent's can take back the site and whatever building is on it at the time. The commitments in the document are for 300 years. If in 70 years the parties agree the building needs to be refurbished or rebuilt, that is an agreement they can make. At any stage during the 300 years, the parties can make alternative arrangements.