Menu
22/11/2019
Govt Urged To Resist Religious Influence On Maternity Hospital
The Minister for Health has been urged to consider a Compulsory Purchase Order of the land at St Vincent's Hospital for the new National Maternity Hospital.
Sinn Fein Health spokesperson Louise O'Reilly has made the call in an effort to counter the attempts of the Vatican and the Catholic Church to influence and interfere with the project.
Deputy O'Reilly said: "It is over two years now since the Dáil passed a Sinn Féin motion calling for the new National Maternity Hospital to remain entirely within public ownership with legally guaranteed independence from all non-medical influence in its clinical operations.
"It is ridiculous that we now face the possibility that the building of the hospital or its operations could be influenced and interfered with by the Catholic Church.
"It is the position of the Dáil that the National Maternity Hospital be owned and operated by the State and will be shaped only by modern medical standards and principles and that needs to be upheld.
"Religious faith is important for many, many people across this State, and it is an important factor for them in our society. However, there is no space for religious influence from any quarter in our healthcare policy, especially women's healthcare.
"If it is a case that the Vatican blocks the transfer of land at St Vincent's for the new National Maternity Hospital, or if there is attempted religious interference with the project, then the government must consider a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of the land in order to proceed with the construction of the hospital."
(MH/JG)
Sinn Fein Health spokesperson Louise O'Reilly has made the call in an effort to counter the attempts of the Vatican and the Catholic Church to influence and interfere with the project.
Deputy O'Reilly said: "It is over two years now since the Dáil passed a Sinn Féin motion calling for the new National Maternity Hospital to remain entirely within public ownership with legally guaranteed independence from all non-medical influence in its clinical operations.
"It is ridiculous that we now face the possibility that the building of the hospital or its operations could be influenced and interfered with by the Catholic Church.
"It is the position of the Dáil that the National Maternity Hospital be owned and operated by the State and will be shaped only by modern medical standards and principles and that needs to be upheld.
"Religious faith is important for many, many people across this State, and it is an important factor for them in our society. However, there is no space for religious influence from any quarter in our healthcare policy, especially women's healthcare.
"If it is a case that the Vatican blocks the transfer of land at St Vincent's for the new National Maternity Hospital, or if there is attempted religious interference with the project, then the government must consider a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) of the land in order to proceed with the construction of the hospital."
(MH/JG)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
21 April 2017
Minister Harris Denies Nuns Will Run New Maternity Hospital
The new National Maternity Hospital will be a significant investment in the provision of modern, state-of-the-art healthcare for women and babies, Minister for Health Simon Harris has said.
Minister Harris Denies Nuns Will Run New Maternity Hospital
The new National Maternity Hospital will be a significant investment in the provision of modern, state-of-the-art healthcare for women and babies, Minister for Health Simon Harris has said.
28 January 2016
Varadkar Publishes Ireland's First National Maternity Strategy
Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has announced Ireland's first National Maternity Strategy, described as a "roadmap for the improvement of services over the next ten years".
Varadkar Publishes Ireland's First National Maternity Strategy
Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has announced Ireland's first National Maternity Strategy, described as a "roadmap for the improvement of services over the next ten years".
15 January 2010
Parent's Of Cork Conjoined Twins Issue Statement
The parents of a pair of conjoined twins from Cork have spoken to the media for the first time, after the births were revealed this morning.
Parent's Of Cork Conjoined Twins Issue Statement
The parents of a pair of conjoined twins from Cork have spoken to the media for the first time, after the births were revealed this morning.
19 April 2017
Decision On Maternity Hospital Ownership 'Deeply Insulting And Hurtful'
The Department of Health has been criticised following its announcement that the new National Maternity Hospital is to be owned by the Sisters of Charity. Sinn Féin described the decision as "deeply insulting and hurtful to the survivors of institutional abuse".
Decision On Maternity Hospital Ownership 'Deeply Insulting And Hurtful'
The Department of Health has been criticised following its announcement that the new National Maternity Hospital is to be owned by the Sisters of Charity. Sinn Féin described the decision as "deeply insulting and hurtful to the survivors of institutional abuse".
15 April 2019
FF Call For Funding Announcement For National Maternity Hospital
Fianna Fáil is calling on the government to allocate money to the development of a long-planned National Maternity Hospital on the grounds of the new National Children's Hospital in Dublin.
FF Call For Funding Announcement For National Maternity Hospital
Fianna Fáil is calling on the government to allocate money to the development of a long-planned National Maternity Hospital on the grounds of the new National Children's Hospital in Dublin.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:The day will be very windy with strong to gale force westerly winds becoming occasionally severe along the north coast. Sunny spells will be interspersed with scattered showers. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:West to northwest gale force winds, severe along the north coast, will continue overnight. Frequent showers persist, merging into longer periods of rain at times and turning wintry. Minimum temperature 1 °C.
