Holles Street hospital ownership
Deputy Róisín Shortall seeks confirmation that the new maternity hospital arrangements will leave the buildings publicly owned. The Taoiseach says the Rotunda and Coombe sites are State-owned, Holles Street involves a long lease, and the State controls the land at least.
I call a representative of the Green Party or the Social Democrats. They can decide among themselves.
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I asked the Taoiseach a question about Holles Street hospital a few weeks ago. In his response, he spoke about three proposed new hospital buildings. He continued:
All three of those hospitals, including Holles Street, are privately owned. The difference is that when the new ones are built, they will be publicly owned. They will be State-owned buildings on State land.
I welcome that statement by the Taoiseach. I am checking that he stands by that statement.
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I asked the Taoiseach. It is in relation to a statement he made.
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I will answer as best I can. The Rotunda hospital will go to Connolly hospital, which is owned by the State. The Coombe will go to the St. James's campus, which is owned by the State. The arrangements for Holles Street hospital moving to St. Vincent's Hospital have to be worked out. My understanding is that it involves a 99-year lease. The building is owned by the State and the land is State-controlled at the very least.
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Tell the Pope.
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The Pope missed that.
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That would be an ecumenical matter.