An €800m jackpot: The master plan for the ownership and control of the new maternity hospital

Given what we now know about the level of operational control to be exercised over the new hospital by the Catholic church, it is imperative that the Government demands the freehold ownership of the hospital site

Services banned by Rome have never been permitted by St Vincent's Healthcare Group. Obstetric and gynaecological services that contravene Church teaching – including but not limited to abortion – will be prohibited. Picture: RollingNews.ie

The latest proposals from St Vincent’s Healthcare Group represent a last-ditch attempt to push through their plans for the new maternity hospital at Elm Park. Legal and other documents expose the architecture of control over the hospital devised by the Religious Sisters of Charity and their advisers.

The State, although powerless to direct the activities of private providers, is intent on gifting the new facility to a private entity owned by the congregation. The Government is to have no involvement in this company, nor any role in its operations. Doubling the duration of the lease, as proposed, will not enable the State to take control of the hospital site, as claimed. Offering to add two public interest directors to a board that is to be owned and controlled by the nuns' companies will not alter the underlying power structure.