Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Menton mentioned another negotiation, which concerns me. As it seems in the lease there is simply a requirement that there would be maternity hospitals and that if there is not a maternity hospital, there is a return to the €850,000 rent, which is the actual rent that is waived and reduced to €10. We mentioned earlier when that might apply. Permitted use is one of the forfeiture events whereby the site would be given back or St. Vincent's Healthcare Group may reclaim the site as was mentioned. Of course, permitted use includes the undefined phrase "clinically appropriate".

Mr. Menton mentioned the idea of a negotiation in 75 years' time. I would like to be clear about what would happen. Is it the case that either the State would build a new hospital that St. Vincent's Healthcare Group would be happy with or it would return to market rent for the remaining 210 years? I ask Mr. Menton to confirm in terms of permitted use this is another 75 years. He mentioned that in 100 years the national maternity hospital might want to move on. After 170 years, the Religious Sisters of Charity have moved their model on. What is the exit mechanism for the State if in 75 years, the State decides it wants to leave? As I see it at the moment it only has an option to leave in the case of the insolvency St. Vincent's Healthcare Group.