Dáil debates

Tuesday, 17 May 2022

Ceisteanna ó Cheannairí - Leaders' Questions

 

2:05 pm

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

There is nothing in the lease that is an imposition on the State at all despite attempts to muddy the waters and, in my view, deliberately confuse that issue.

On the broader issue, the concerns that were raised after the Mulvey deal and over a year ago have been comprehensively addressed by this Government and by the Minister, first in the constitution of the new national maternity hospital which is absolutely clear in terms of all lawfully and legally permissible services being made available; the operating licence that will be issued by the Health Service Executive to the hospital which will oblige the hospital to provide such services; and also the Minister having the authority, through the golden share, to ensure that all directors fulfil their duties and they must comply - they are obliged to comply.

The overall motivation behind the Government's decision is to provide modern physical facilities that are required now. I am struck by the very strong representations that have been made by all the national directors of midwifery across the country representing every maternity unit who said please get on and build the hospital and by the national director of Holles Street, all the assistant directors of midwifery of Holles Street and the 52 clinicians who wrote a letter to us saying please build the hospital. I accept that the Deputy's concerns were raised. They have been genuinely, comprehensively addressed.

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