Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am a bit surprised at the suggestion that we should not want a philanthropist to come along with an offer to provide funding. Universities are dependent on philanthropy and there have been many good developments in universities as a result of philanthropy. This is about paediatric care, and research and development. In medicine there are always situations where the State is not in a position to provide funding and research and development have depended a lot on philanthropy.

On the question of being able to borrow, a budget is made up as early as June in the previous year so a hospital can be half way through a year when it requires action to be taken. It cannot get funding from the Department because the latter does not have it, because of the strict controls that are in place. Is the Senator saying we should not be able to borrow money to get something done which is crucially important for providing services to the people who need them? There has to be a bit of latitude and without giving a board the power to borrow one might as well not have a board. We will then be totally dependent on the Department to make a decision. There needs to be a bit of flexibility so that the board can respond to needs as they arise, rather than have to wait for the next budget for money.