Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My understanding is that St. Vincent's Healthcare Group communicated to us, not necessarily the Sisters of Charity, to be precise about it. The Minister is going to engage with both groups and others in that respect. He is back in the Chamber now, I point out in the context of the Deputy's reference. I am not sure what she is proposing, other than to raise the issue. I have been consistent from the get-go about this project in respect of ownership and the taxpayer being protected but also in terms of governance. The State is building a hospital, and the outcome of the negotiations so far do not, in my view, reflect what should be the case in respect of the governance issue and the public interest being represented on the board. Equally, there are issues, as I said, with the ownership of the facility and the protection of the taxpayer’s investment. There is also the core issue, which the current agreement deals with in my view. It relates to ring-fencing and ensuring that no religious ethos-----

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