Written answers

Tuesday, 3 November 2020

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1152. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the values of the document of a religious order have not been amended or replaced in the constitution for a company (details supplied) which was published after the company registered with the CRO in August 2020, despite a commitment by a person in 2017 that the 2010 code would be amended and replaced in the constitution of the successor company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32433/20]

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1153. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the phrase voice for the voiceless which is a common citation for Catholic organisations when referencing abortion which is used in the constitution for a company (details supplied); if he has endeavoured to discuss this with the company with the view to having it removed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32434/20]

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1154. To ask the Minister for Health if he has sought an explicit, public and legally binding guarantee from a company (details supplied) that it will not deny procedures which are legal here based on religious beliefs or the ethical code of the hospitals under its ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32435/20]

Photo of Stephen DonnellyStephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1152 to 1154, inclusive, together.

I understand that St Vincent’s Holdings CLG was incorporated in August 2020. The main object of the constitution of that company is ‘to advance healthcare in Ireland, a purpose of benefit to the community, by promoting medical education, medical research and patient care in all areas of medicine through the St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group, and to reflect compliance with national and international best practice guidelines on medical ethics and the laws of Ireland’.

I am advised that as part of the process by which the Religious Sisters of Charity will transfer their shares in St Vincent’s Healthcare Group to St Vincent’s Holdings CLG, the constitution of St Vincent’s Healthcare Group will be updated. The updated constitution will reflect that its facilities will provide care and medical practice in compliance with national and international best practice guidelines on medical ethics, and the laws of Ireland. I understand that the share transfer process is expected to be finalised shortly.

With regard to the reference to the term ‘Voice for the Voiceless’in the constitution of St Vincent’s Holdings CLG, the Deputy will appreciate that this term, and indeed other similar terms, are used by many organisations which engage in advocacy to support and represent vulnerable members of society in danger of being ignored. In that context, there would not appear to be any issue with the use of this term in the constitution and the Deputy’s attention is instead directed to the purpose, constitution, main object and governance codes of the company.

Finally, I would like provide assurance that the legal framework, which is being developed to protect the State's investment in the new maternity hospital, will ensure that health services at the new hospital will be provided without religious, ethnic or other distinction. In that regard, there will be no question that any services can be prohibited based on religious beliefs or the ethical code of the hospitals concerned.

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