I propose to take Questions Nos. 901 to 906, inclusive, and 921 together.
The Deputy can be assured that there has been extensive engagement between my Department and the St Vincent's Healthcare Group (SVHG) over the last few weeks, to agree the mechanism by which the State investment in the new National Maternity Hospital, on the St Vincent's University Hospital campus, will be protected. Discussions have been led by the Secretary General, and have, I am advised, been very constructive to date.
The discussions have also been very comprehensive and have taken somewhat longer than originally anticipated. As the discussions are not yet concluded, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be premature for me to disclose any great detail at this stage. However, I can confirm that it will be necessary to draw up a detailed legal agreement between the parties which will require further engagement with SVHG, NMH and the Department. It is my intention to bring the terms of the proposed agreement, in due course, to Government prior to approval.
With regard to the governance arrangements for the new hospital, the terms of the Mulvey agreement provide for the establishment of a new company - "The National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC (limited by shares)”. As that agreement was essentially a framework agreement, further work is required to define and clarify issues in the context of the establishment of the new DAC. However it is clear, that the new company will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services.