State 'does not have automatic right to women's trust', says Minister 

Minister of State Mary Butler says she understands the 'concerns' of women around the ownership and clinical independence of the new National Maternity Hospital

Protestors from the Repeal the 8th movement outside Leinster House in May, as they call on Health Minister Stephen Donnelly to ensure that the National Maternity Hospital will be fully secular, and will be under no Church control. File picture: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie

The Government recognises "that the State does not have an automatic right to the uniform trust of the women of this country," a minister has said.

Minister of State Mary Butler spoke during a debate in the Seanad yesterday about the ongoing issues around the ownership and clinical independence of the new National Maternity Hospital.