New national maternity hospital
Deputy Bríd Smith criticised the refusal to hold a House debate on the new national maternity hospital and sought a full discussion. The Minister denied any plan to hand control to a religious body and said the issue could still be raised through other parliamentary avenues.
Yesterday, we were told, "It is a matter for the Business Committee" and that we should use our Private Members' time. Three times yesterday the question of the new national maternity hospital and the intentions of the Government were raised and these were the answers given. We were told it was a matter for the Business Committee to decide if we have a discussion on it, or that we should use our Private Members' time. Private Members' time has been used to discuss the new national maternity hospital and I disagree completely that it is just a matter for the Business Committee. We complain all the time that there are not enough women involved in politics. Here is a political issue that involves all women and girls, that is, the future of the new national maternity hospital, and we cannot get a proper debate on it or full information on what the Government intends to do. Does it intend to do the unthinkable and hand over the control of a national maternity hospital that will cost the State and the taxpayer at least €1 billion to the religious Sisters of Charity and a private company under St. Vincent's Holdings? We need answers to these questions. This is hugely important and involves half the population. It does not necessarily involve the men in suits who are negotiating it but it does involve the women and girls concerned.
Comment on this
I assure the Deputy that there is no intention to hand over the control of the new national maternity hospital to any religious body or any third party. There are lots of opportunities in the House, including oral questions to the Minister for Health, which I understand are taking place next week. The House has already decided on the business for this week but there are many avenues open to the Deputy to continue to raise the issue The substantive point is that what the Deputy is inferring or suggesting is not Government policy and is not what is going to happen.
Comment on this
Then let us have a full discussion on it.