Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak to the two amendments. To respond to the Minister of State on amendment No. 2, I find it difficult to understand the reason for not including the term "mental health" in the Bill given that mental health is as important as physical health and that this relates to the children's hospital. I support the amendment.

I agree with the Minister of State on amendment No. 1, which proposes to name the hospital the Kathleen Lynn National Children’s Hospital. We have to give the new body or board some authority or control when it takes over the hospital and it should be a matter for it to decide on the name. It is not for the Oireachtas to assume that responsibility. We should stick to what is in the Bill and be supportive of the new body or board when it is set up. I acknowledge that Dr. Kathleen Lynn did much good work and it is appropriate that Deputy Ó Snodaigh would want to name the hospital after her. However, that is not a matter for this House to decide but a decision for the board or body to take.

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