Reilly confirms government decided against Mount Carmel buyout

Minister for Health James Reilly has confirmed that the government considered purchasing Mount Carmel Hospital in December.

A decision was taken not to go ahead with the takoever as the facility was deemed no use to the health service.

328 staff at Mount Carmel are to lose their jobs after liquidators were appointed to the troubled hospital today.

He is adamant that there is enough capacity in the other Dublin maternity hospitals and that patients will be treated fairly.