Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for her question and her ongoing interest in this very important matter. I would strongly refute the suggestion that the month came and went. As the Deputy will be aware, during that month there was significant engagement between myself, the chairs of the National Maternity Hospital and St. Vincent's, and the CEOs and masters of both hospitals, as well as extensive engagement between the St Vincent's Healthcare Group and my officials.

On 29 May, the Sisters of Charity announced their decision to relinquish their ownership of and involvement with the St. Vincent's Healthcare Group. This decision is an extremely significant development for the health care sector and for the National Maternity Hospital project. It addresses not all but a number of the concerns that were articulated by many. My Department has been briefed on this development. The St. Vincent's Healthcare Group's constitution will no longer refer to the Sisters of Charity and will be amended to reflect compliance with national and international best practice guidelines on medical ethics and the laws of the Republic of Ireland. I know that despite the specific provisions in the Mulvey agreement, there was a concern on the part of some about the potential religious influence being brought to bear on the new maternity hospital, and the potential role of religious interests on its board. The decision of the Sisters of Charity is extremely helpful in dispelling any such concerns.

We need to resolve the issue of ownership. I have made my views clear on this. Discussions are continuing with the St. Vincent's Healthcare Group on the terms of the State's investment in the new hospital and, in particular, arrangements for the protection of this investment. The Mulvey agreement envisaged that further consideration was required of the legal mechanisms necessary to protect the State's considerable investment. My Department is actively engaged in devising suitable arrangements to ensure that these facilities are legally secured on an ongoing basis for the delivery of publicly funded maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services. I expect to be in a position to report significant progress on this shortly and will update the Government and the Oireachtas at that stage. I will also be bringing proposals to Government in the coming weeks for a broader discussion of ownership within the health service and the role of the religious and voluntary hospitals, as has already taken place in the education sector through the forum on pluralism and patronage.

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