No Way Back For The Sisters Of Charity, An Oireachtas Committee Has Heard

Monday, 16 May 2022 16:39

By Caoimhe Harney

The Chair of St Vincent's Healthcare Group says there can be absolutely no religious influence on the new hospital now or in the future.

The Chair of St Vincent's Healthcare Group says it would be almost impossible to run the new National Maternity Hospital if they sell the site to the State.

James Menton has told an Oireachtas Committee the group intends to retain ownership of the site the new hospital will be built on.

He's insisted there can be absolutely no religious influence on the new hospital now or in the future.

The Chair of St Vincent's Healthcare Group has told the Oireachtas committee there is no mechanism for religious interference in the new National Maternity Hospital.

James Menton has told TDs and Senators the Sisters of Charity transferred their shares without any conditions attached.

Tomorrow, Cabinet is due to sign off on the plans for the new National Maternity Hospital despite intense criticism of the deal.

James Menton has said there is nothing in the constitutions of the group or a holding company involved which would allow religious interference or control of the new hospital.

He said the Sisters of Charity gave their shares without any conditions around Catholic ethos attached.

Mr Menton also outlined why St Vincent's is opposed to selling or gifting the land of the hospital to the State.

He said the new maternity hospital will be in the middle of the Vincent's campus, and having dual ownership would make it difficult, if not impossible, to manage.

Mr Menton told an Oireachtas committee there is no way back in for the Sisters of Charity: