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

The Government has very strong legal advice as well, via the Attorney General, on the cast iron nature of the legal guarantees that are provided in these documents to underpin clinical, legal and operational independence of the new national maternity hospital. Let us make that point. Protecting the State's interests was critical in the legal agreements that have been arrived at.

Most importantly, better outcomes for women and for babies delivered at the maternity hospital has to be the key rationale and motivation behind everything that we do. The idea behind co-location is what brought two hospitals together, that is, the hospital at Holles Street and St. Vincent's. St. Vincent's is a separate group, and has been historically, as we know. They have given explanations for what the Deputy has highlighted with regard to the constitution of the St. Vincent's Healthcare Group. Our concern primarily right now has to be the establishment of a national maternity hospital to replace a hospital that is not physically fit for purpose in the 21st century. My biggest concern is that as we continue to debate on this issue, women right now are not getting the physical conditions that they deserve.

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