Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Building costs are the same but that is not the issue. I visited Sweden where I met the managers of St. Goran's Hospital. It used to be managed by the state until the socialist government transferred its management to the private sector. The private company received the same amount the year it took over as the government had provided the previous year. Not only did the company make a profit but it exceeded all its targets. No issues or difficulties have arisen with the employees. I made a reference yesterday to doing that here and the hullabaloo that would result. I am not even contemplating it but governments all over Europe are doing this. For example, hospitals have been transferred in France, Germany and the Netherlands.

All beds are built by private contractors and, whether they are contracted by the State or privately, the construction costs do not differ. However, the issue is the cost of running the beds and the speed at which they can be delivered. We have an endless public procurement process and projects such as schools take a considerable period from the time the green button is pressed until completion.

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