Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I will ask the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, to come back to the Deputy on the specific issue of the ownership. I reiterate the point that has been made by the Minister and others in recent months, which is we will only be investing in a new hospital once we have absolute assurance that all legal services available in the State will be provided in that hospital and that it will be free of any religious ethos or influence in this regard. This is the absolute bottom line of the Government in this regard. A substantial amount of public money is required. We want to get this done because we recognise a new national maternity hospital is required. It is urgent for the women and babies of Ireland. The Government is committed to doing this. I will ask the Minister to revert directly to the Deputy on the specific ownership question.

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