Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I have read a little bit about this issue but I do not have a detailed briefing on it as yet but I will seek one in the coming days. As I understand it, Bessborough already is in private ownership. It is not in public ownership. The nationalisation of anyone's property, whether they be a private individual, a company or a religious order, without compensation is, of course, unconstitutional. It is unlikely that a referendum would be passed in this country allowing the Government to confiscate anyone's property without compensation whether they be a private individual, a company or a religious order. This will have to be a matter of negotiation involving the owners, the service providers and the Government. Our objective in doing so will be to ensure that services are protected, those who use those services are protected and that jobs are protected as well.

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