Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am sorry to disappoint the Deputy that I am not the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly. He too was not disposed today to take this Topical Issue matter but I am happy to take it on his behalf.

I know the Deputy, like many other Members, has a strong interest in the ownership and governance arrangements of the new national maternity hospital and I welcome the opportunity to address the House on the issue. The Government is committed to the development of the new national maternity hospital, as set out in the programme for Government, as the Deputy is aware. The proposed corporate and clinical governance arrangements for the new national maternity hospital are set out in the Mulvey agreement. This was finalised following extensive mediation between the National Maternity Hospital and the St. Vincent's Healthcare Group and has been published for a considerable time.

The Mulvey agreement provides for the establishment of a new company to run the new hospital under a service level agreement with the HSE, as happens in the current National Maternity Hospital. This new company will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary, independence in the provision of health services in the new national maternity hospital. A draft legal framework has been developed based on this agreement and aims to copper-fasten these arrangements. This legal framework will address the State's core objectives, which are: first, to ensure all clinically appropriate services that are legally permissible are provided for women who need them in the new national maternity hospital; second, to prevent any undue influence, religious or otherwise, in the operation of the new hospital; and third, to protect the State's investment in terms of capital, revenue and service provision at the new hospital for the public good.

There are certain key points which are important to reiterate to the House. First, I recognise that concerns continue to circulate regarding the potential involvement of the Religious Sisters of Charity in the new national maternity hospital. Indeed, the Deputy has raised those concerns here today. However, the Minister for Health has been clear and informs me the order will not play any role in the governance or operation of our new national maternity hospital. In fact, the Religious Sisters of Charity have resigned from the board of SVHG and their shareholding is to be transferred to a new charitable entity, St. Vincent's Holdings. The constitution of St Vincent's Holdings has been published and anyone who has seen that document will know it makes no reference whatsoever to canon law. The Department of Health has previously been advised in writing by SVHG that canon law will not impact on St Vincent's Holdings. In addition, it has been stated previously that the Government will not be asked to approve any legal arrangements unless they ensure that all legally permissible services will be provided in the new hospital, as well as appropriately protecting the State's investment.

We know the buildings at Holles Street are no longer fit for purpose. It is essential that we move forward and build the new national maternity hospital and provide the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the delivery of a safe and high-quality maternity service for women and infants. We will do that with all the necessary safeguards and assurances in place. There is a process ongoing to finalise the legal arrangements.

The Minister for Health will not be making any further comment on this matter until the process of engagement and deliberation regarding the legal arrangements has concluded.

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