Protest in Dublin Today over National Maternity Hospital Ownership

By Sharron Lynskey
98 FM
April 22, 2017

http://www.98fm.com/Protest-In-Dublin-Today-Over-National-Maternity-Hospital-Ownership

A protest is taking place in the city this afternoon over the ownership of the new National Maternity Hospital at the St Vincents site.

Campaigners say ownership should not handed over to the Sisters of Charity.

The new facility is now in doubt, after the board of St Vincent's said it's now reviewing the project because of the 'controversy' surrounding it.

Nobody denies but that Holles Street needs a new premises as a matter of urgency and you know, funding has been allocated for that", says Social Democrat leader Roisin Shorthall.

"But the important thing is that we get assurances and we find out the full detail in relation to what the agreement entails, in relation to ownership and in relation to governance of the hospital".

Labour are also calling on the health minister to publish the deal with the Sisters of Charity. The party has passed three emergency motions at its national conference in Wexford, including calling for a compulsory purchase order of the site.