Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 3:

In page 8, to delete lines 24 to 26.

The reason I have included amendment No. 3 is that I believe this subsection is questionable in some way. It exemplifies what is often called "mission creep", that is, a gradual shift in objectives which often results in unplanned changes in the longer term. I do not see why Children's Health Ireland would need to acquire, hold or dispose of shares or other interests in a company or to become a member of a company. The hospital and the board have a mission, that is, to provide paediatric healthcare for children across the State. I do not see why the board of a children's hospital would need to become a member of a company. Under other sections, for example, section 8, the board will have scope to establish subsidiaries, etc. It may also have room to take part in the formation of a company. It is curious, in the context of this amendment, why Children's Health Ireland would need to have the ability to become a member of a company, which would not be appropriate. There is more to this than meets the eye.

On amendment No. 4, I understand the need for a provision to borrow for capital purposes against the income and assets of the hospital. It is a provision which is used by many universities across the State. However, I do not see why a hospital would need to borrow for current purposes, given that the State should be funding it to deliver in line with demand. Hospitals run by the State should be funded for the provision of services from the Exchequer. If the word is left in the Bill, it will allows this or any other Government to underfund the hospital in the future and instruct it to borrow money to provide paediatric healthcare services. It is strange. The inclusion of the word allows for exploitation in borrowing for such purposes. It is something of which we should be wary.

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