Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Menton for his opening statement and I welcome the witnesses. I acknowledge the unambiguous clarity about church involvement. It is clear from Mr. Menton's statement that he believes there is no religious involvement in the running of St. Vincent's now and there has not been for some time. He stated that after 175 years of ownership by the Religious Sisters of Charity, the order announced that it was ceasing to own the hospital in 2017. Was that cessation in anticipation of or part of the relocation of the National Maternity Hospital or had it been in the ether for some time?