Cork Td Billy Kelleher Calls for Full Publication of National Maternity Hospital ‘deal’

By Elaine Murphy
The Cork
April 22, 2017

https://www.thecork.ie/2017/04/22/cork-td-billy-kelleher-calls-for-full-publication-of-national-maternity-hospital-deal/

Billy Kelleher TD

Fianna Fail Spokesperson on Health Billy Kelleher TD has called on Minister Simon Harris to publish the deal reached between the National Maternity Hospital and the Sisters of Charity regarding the provision of the new maternity hospital.

Deputy Kelleher said, “The ownership of the new National Maternity Hospital has been subject to intense discussion and debate in recent days. There have been many reports and counter-reports regarding the proposed governance structure for the hospital which is due to be constructed on the site of the current St. Vincent’s Hospital.

“While I have requested the Master of Holles Street – Dr Rhona Mahony – to attend the Oireachtas Health Committee, alongside Kieran Mulvey, I am also requesting that all details of the various reports, reviews and deals on the hospital be fully published so that people can ascertain the facts. We need clarity on what is actually contained in the deal reached to provide a new National Maternity Hospital.

“I am also extending the invitation to Minister Harris to attend the Health Committee so that he can outline exactly what he agreed to and at what stages he was consulted.

“I also believe it is important that the public know why the Sisters of Charity actually want to own the hospital given the fact that the State is contributing at least ˆ300m to this much needed project.”