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

I thank Dr. Boylan. There are existing strong links with St. Vincent's, so it cannot be regarded as totally objective.

An earlier speaker asked why the nuns will not sell the site, which is the key question. They promised they would gift the site. It makes sense that they would do so. The Government says it wants to own it fully. Why will the nuns not follow through on that promise? There is some indication in the lease agreement of the reason they will not sell it. Section 6.4 of the lease states that the landlord, St. Vincent's Healthcare Group, will be able to mortgage or charge its freehold interest in the land, without notice, to the maternity hospital 20 years post construction. It has to obtain written consent in the first 20 years. The control and influence on the board will be significant in that regard. It strikes me that this is essentially about land value and not so much the management of the campus. Can Mr. McGarr estimate the additional land value the lease and the right to mortgage or charge what we are told is public property might add to St. Vincent's Holdings?