Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

And I am struck that the Taoiseach is in any way surprised that there is widespread clamour, and has been for some time, for proper investment in maternal and neonatal care and women's healthcare more generally. Everyone wants that. I can assure the Taoiseach that I want that. I want to see the speedy delivery of first-class services of excellence for the women of this country that for far too long we were denied. He also ought to be struck that there is no doubt in the mind of the St. Vincent's Healthcare Group as to who owns the land. It is very clear. It is very clear that it is the landowner.

It was also clear in setting out at the committee meeting that there was no meaningful engagement on the part of the Taoiseach or the Minister for Health to secure State ownership of that land. It could have been done by means of a simple transfer, which, bear in mind, had been promised initially. That is the St. Vincent's Healthcare Group's version of events. I would like the Taoiseach to confirm and set out for the Dáil what engagement he had, if he claims he had any, to secure this site into State ownership. When did that happen? Is the Taoiseach saying that the chair of the St. Vincent's Healthcare Group is incorrect or that he has misled an Oireachtas committee?

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