Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The conversation has started and minds have certainly been concentrated in the past number of weeks. The Minister indicated that many of the hospitals are voluntary or have other forms of governance. In the conversation that must take place about divestment or ceding of ownership, we should be conscious of the fact that we cannot pass Bills of attainder and seize hospitals. We must do what is available to us in law and right for the health services. It should be done in broad discussions with the voluntary boards to see how the State can best involve itself in the context of capital investments put into these hospitals, as well as the day-to-day management and oversight of those hospitals.

That must be reflected, in view of the fact we will end up with hospital groups with a board, and there must be streamlined accountability and governance structures in place. Having a great deal of voluntary input could create difficulties, so we must have that discussion to ensure there is seamless governance of the hospital groups with all hospitals involved.

See this speech in context