Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I commend Professor Hollywood and the staff at St. Luke's, and I also commend Fine Gael and Labour for putting down worthwhile amendments. However, as politicians, we are afraid that people who have cancer will not be cared for properly and, as a result, we are also afraid to suggest that there should not be such firm adherence to the policy relating to centres of excellence. What constitutes a centre of excellence? I wholeheartedly agree with Senator Norris's assertion that it is a place where a person is provided with holistic treatment and care. People can only recover if they are not exposed to infection and are treated in a relaxed atmosphere where they can be loved and cared for in a compassionate manner. That has not been my experience of the new centres of excellence. This is a matter about which I feel strongly.

Senator Fitzgerald read into the record a very emotive piece about a lady who is dying from cancer and who was left to wait on a trolley. I assure the Minister of State that a patient would not be treated in that way at St. Luke's Hospital. That is the bottom line. St. Luke's Hospital should remain in place as a satellite facility of St. James's Hospital. The Minister of State has made the point very well that there is a need for intensive care services to support St. Luke's. That is fine, once it remains in place as a satellite facility of St. James's Hospital. St. Luke's should remain in place, in the leafy suburb of Rathgar, as a public facility for people who are ill and who need care.

Members of my family and some of my friends were treated at St. Luke's Hospital. I cannot say enough good things about the place. My constituents have been discussing this matter with me and sending me e-mails. They stated that it would be terrible if the service on offer at the hospital were to disappear.

Senator Norris also stated that €26 million has been collected through fund-raising efforts. It has come to my attention that St. Luke's Hospital was donated to the State. How, therefore, do we have a right to sell it off to pay for the bailout of Anglo Irish Bank and for the various mistakes that have been made?

I suggest that for once there should be all-party consensus in the House. In that context, I am aware that some colleagues on the Government side of the House share my view that St. Luke's should be retained in its present form in order that its staff can care, in a compassionate manner, for people who are sick.