Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Rollingnews.ie

'I really thought we were beyond this point': Protest to be held tomorrow on new maternity hospital

Former junior health minister Kathleen Lynch told Drivetime that the hospital is not “going in the right direction”.

A FORMER JUNIOR minister in the Department of Health said today that she does not believe the new national maternity hospital is “going in the right direction”.

Controversy over the proposed hospital, where the land would be owned by religious order Sisters of Charity, rumbled on today as a petition to prevent the group becoming its owners got over 40,000 signatures.

Speaking to RTÉ’s Drivetime, former Labour TD Kathleen Lynch said that she couldn’t imagine maternity health – in all of the forms it takes – being performed in an institution owned by a religious order.

Lynch was in the department when the decision was made to build the new hospital, and said that a “new, modern state-of-the-art” maternity hospital was required but added that she was no longer sure that it would be delivered.

She said that there may be cases where a woman requires treatment that the Sisters of Charity are fundamentally opposed to, such as termination when a woman’s life is at risk.

She said that this would create problems for the treatment of women in the future when or if the owners of the hospital were to express its opposition to such procedures.

“I don’t accept that the ethos of Holles Street would be protected,” she said.

In an era when legislation and people’s expectations about their own lives are changing on a yearly basis, for instance: intersex, gender reassignment, IVF… Will all of those things be acceptable?
I really thought that we were beyond the point when the state builds a hospital and yet doesn’t own it. And if you don’t own your institution that you are delivering your national maternity services in and other people have an input – and who fundamentally disagree with some of the procedures – I think you are storing up problems.

Protest planned

Tomorrow, at 1pm, there is a protest due to be held outside the Department of Health in Dublin to urge the government not to allow the Sisters of Charity own the new maternity hospital.

Organised by Workers’ Party councillor Éilis Ryan, it is understood that speakers at the protest will include members of the Abortion Rights Campaign and Parents for Choice.

Ryan said: “We hope this demonstration sends a message to Minister Harris that we want decent, well-funded public services. That means state-owned and state-run – not owned by any private body, whether it be the church, big corporations or anyone else.”

The new national maternity hospital will be built on the grounds of St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin, and will cost the State €300 million.

Health Minister Simon Harris has repeatedly insisted that the hospital would be run independently.

In a statement yesterday, the Department of Health said: “The new company will have clinical and operational independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services, without religious, ethnic or other distinction, as well as financial and budgetary independence.

This independence will be assured by the reserved powers which are set out in the agreement and which will be copper fastened by the golden share which will be held by the Minister for Health.

Speaking to Today with Seán O’Rourke on RTÉ Radio 1, Kieran Mulvey, the former chair of the Workplace Relations Commission, said money owed by the Sisters of Charity to the redress scheme for abuse survivors was not discussed during negotiations to move the hospital.

Read: Over 40,000 sign petition to prevent Sisters of Charity becoming owners of maternity hospital

Read: ‘No religious influence’: Harris defends new maternity hospital ownership in face of criticism

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
114 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Mcloughlin
    Favourite John Mcloughlin
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 6:19 PM

    Who the €&€& is Bono

    121
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmuid
    Favourite Diarmuid
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 6:22 PM

    John, that’s the last time I include you on my Table Quiz team.

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daisy Daisy
    Favourite Daisy Daisy
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 8:49 PM

    @John Mcloughlin: Short, arselicking, gloryholer who’ll cosy up to any homophobic, anti-woman, christofascist if it gets him access.

    56
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alois Irlmaier
    Favourite Alois Irlmaier
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 11:55 PM

    @John Mcloughlin: God?

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Hannon
    Favourite Tony Hannon
    Report
    Feb 19th 2017, 12:56 AM

    Tried to say he was an oral faeces but The J.said twas bad language

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pheilum Shannon
    Favourite Pheilum Shannon
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 3:38 PM

    “voiced his willingness to work with him in fighting terrorism.”

    Someone should tell them all that peace will never be achieved through war!! They probably already know that, but make too much money from invading other countries!

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute gregory
    Favourite gregory
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 10:57 PM

    u.s. just loves drone strikes. killing at a distance and go home for tea

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Kirk
    Favourite Chris Kirk
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 3:20 PM

    The Russian view of the world seems to be that they are first among equals because they occupy the biggest land mass andown more ballistic missiles than almost everyone else.
    Is it any wonder that Nato exists when you have leaders like Putin waving a flag in one hand and his ‘willy’ in the other.

    74
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John003
    Favourite John003
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 3:23 PM

    GNP of Russia is the same as that of Spain…..Perhaps NATO and the US exaggerate their power a little…

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fox in the Box
    Favourite Fox in the Box
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 3:30 PM

    @John003:

    Russia has a history of overplaying it’s hand when weak and under playing it when strong. Putins Russia of today is no different

    52
    See 16 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Charlie Fogarty
    Favourite Charlie Fogarty
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 3:40 PM

    @John003:

    Well those figures are just wrong, and if Spain had the 5th largest military in the world and tried to annex Portugal they would draw more attention.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Favourite Brian Ó Dálaigh
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 3:50 PM

    Yes, John, but Spain doesn’t have about 10,000 nuclear warheads and a million or more soldiers, as well as having troops occupying territory (outside of military instalations) in three countries other than itself.

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute ben
    Favourite ben
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 4:17 PM

    If the west continues to sanction Russia war is the only inevitablity…

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Pat O'Dwyer
    Favourite Pat O'Dwyer
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 4:24 PM

    Behind the scenes, this is what it’s really all about. A very dangerous game that will inevitably end in WW3 if not taken seriously. What we read in newspapers, or see on TV is merely entertainment.
    by Mike Whitney
    “The Flynn fiasco is not about national security advisor Michael Flynn’s conversations with the Russian ambassador. It’s much deeper than that. It’s about Russia. It’s about Putin. It’s about the explosive rise of China and the world’s biggest free trade zone that will eventually stretch from Lisbon to Vladivostok. It’s about the one country in the world that is obstructing Washington’s plan for global domination. (Russia) And, it’s about the future; which country will be the key player in the world’s most prosperous and populous region, Asia.
    That’s what’s at stake, and that’s what the Flynn controversy is really all about.”
    Read more :
    http://www.counterpunch.org/2017/02/17/blood-in-the-water-the-trump-revolution-ends-in-a-whimper/

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John003
    Favourite John003
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 4:44 PM

    @Charlie Fogarty: Sorry figure is incorrect In 2016 figures Russia GNP is equal to that of Italy…

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Diarmuid
    Favourite Diarmuid
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 6:13 PM

    Russia is a waning regional power, a failing petro-state with a collapsing population.

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken O'Neill
    Favourite Ken O'Neill
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 6:27 PM

    @Diarmuid: Stop spreading fake news.

    In Russia the fertility rate is rising. According to the World Bank it rose from 1.34 in 2009, to 1.54 in 2013 and is currently at 1.60. This rise is almost unique in Europe.

    Since President Vladimir Putin acted to address the problem, Russia has been one of the few countries in the western hemisphere to have registered a stable rise in its fertility rate.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gene Parmesan
    Favourite Gene Parmesan
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 7:27 PM

    John003…Thats not even close to being right. The GNP of Russia is more in line with Germany

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Jordan
    Favourite Mick Jordan
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 8:07 PM

    Kenny you might want to tell that to ordinary Russians that are seeing their lifestyles degrading with each passing year.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken O'Neill
    Favourite Ken O'Neill
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 8:41 PM

    @Mick Jordan: Mickey another Fake News regurgitating troll;

    There is no aspect of contemporary Russia that has changed more rapidly and unexpectedly than its economic situation. When Vladimir Putin became President, Russia was effectively bankrupt as it owed more money to the International Monetary Fund (IMF) than it had in foreign currency reserves. Since then, Russia has achieved a virtual macroeconomic revolution to the point where it is one of the largest creditors of U.S. debt in the world. Its nominal dollar GDP has increased by more than a factor of six, and has the potential to reach more than $2 trillion by 2010. Growth of this magnitude would equate to nearly a ten fold increase in GDP over the course of a decade.

    In early 2009, the Ministry of Economic Trade and Development published an ambitious plan outlining Russian economic goals to the year 2020. If these goals are reached, Russia would become the largest economy in Europe and the fifth largest in the world following the United States, China, Japan, and India.

    -CSIS

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Jordan
    Favourite Mick Jordan
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 8:58 PM

    Ken. All I see is reports 6-7 years old. Things have changed considerably since then. Oil and Gas prices of dropped considerably since then. And as the majority of Russia’s income comes from them so has its GDP.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken O'Neill
    Favourite Ken O'Neill
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 9:16 PM

    @Mick Jordan: Things are going really well for Russia today, don’t unquestionably believe everything you read in the anti-Russian MSM and it’s fake news spreading news agencies, of which the Irish MSM is as guilty as any.

    You probably won’t have read or heard this for instance,

    In 2011 Russia became the world’s leading oil producer, surpassing Saudi Arabia;

    Russia is the second-largest producer of natural gas;

    Russia holds the world’s largest natural gas reserves, the second-largest coal reserves, and the eighth-largest crude oil reserves.

    Russia is also a top exporter of metals such as steel and primary aluminum.

    The government since 2007 has embarked on an ambitious program to reduce this dependency and build up the country’s high technology sectors, but with few visible results so far.

    The economy had averaged 7% growth in the decade following the 1998 Russian financial crisis, resulting in a doubling of real disposable incomes and the emergence of a middle class.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Jordan
    Favourite Mick Jordan
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 9:58 PM

    Sounds like a Trump sound bite. “Things are going really well”. While back in reality it translates to “things are going down the toilet rather fast”.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken O'Neill
    Favourite Ken O'Neill
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 10:22 PM

    @Mick Jordan: Another one with an armchair degree in mass media brainwashing.

    Donald Trump is the President of the United States of America, you LOST – now get over it. : )

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Guybrush Threepwood
    Favourite Guybrush Threepwood
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 11:07 PM

    I remember only 20 years ago that the US media were portraying China as an economy on its knees. Mick probably still believes it.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Kirk
    Favourite Chris Kirk
    Report
    Feb 19th 2017, 10:32 AM

    @Pat O’Dwyer: The game hasn’t changed much since the last time Russia tried to rule Europe and were stopped in their tracks by a vigilant alliance of smaller nations supported by America.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David O'Brien
    Favourite David O'Brien
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 6:40 PM

    Bono would want to shut up for once!

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Philip Grant
    Favourite Philip Grant
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 6:54 PM

    Free speech …. it’s a right in a democracy!!

    19
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute brian boru
    Favourite brian boru
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 7:02 PM

    In my opinion Bono is the greatest statesman of his generation in Ireland head and shoulders above any other Irish person about today.

    I also appreciated the free album on my phone !

    25
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ken O'Neill
    Favourite Ken O'Neill
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 7:12 PM

    @David O’Brien: Check out this prize a$$hole Boknob here slagging off Trump at a concert before he was elected President;

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn2h05zO-Fg

    41
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David O'Brien
    Favourite David O'Brien
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 8:47 PM

    Bono is a dick plain and simple

    51
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daisy Daisy
    Favourite Daisy Daisy
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 8:56 PM

    @David O’Brien: I believe the correct term is a Pox.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute David O'Brien
    Favourite David O'Brien
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 9:49 PM

    Well they’re many way to describe this lad in fairness

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Squiddley Diddley
    Favourite Squiddley Diddley
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 11:09 PM

    Two big egos on the one stage. “Good people are not going to stay silent as you ruin the American Dream” says Bono to the big screen shot of Trump before the election, attacking his plans on immigration. He’s been very quiet about Trump since he won, eh?

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alois Irlmaier
    Favourite Alois Irlmaier
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 11:44 PM

    @David O’Brien: Dec 11 2011, on Fox News station.
    Huckabee, interview with Bono on Fox, tonight.
    Huckabee. “You done a remarkable job, I want to say thanks on behalf of all human beings around the world for… advocacy that has led to the saving of literally millions of lives and I wish you the very best and aaah, one other thing. You have a knack for getting people of wide political variances together, we might need you to run for presidency.”
    Bono. “Im going to say, that would be a very scary moment for the world, Mmmm . You on the other hand, I think would bring thee, the Reagan like statesmanship that’s so missing.”

    Makes you sick…

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alois Irlmaier
    Favourite Alois Irlmaier
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 11:58 PM

    So Bono supports Trump???

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Squiddley Diddley
    Favourite Squiddley Diddley
    Report
    Feb 19th 2017, 12:15 AM

    During the campaign he attacked on stage as part of the concert, addressing a big video of Trump. (See above link). That attack featured on the U2 website. Since Trump’s victory, with unprecedented public demonstrations and denunciations from artists of all types Bono has been noticeably silent. Maybe he is cooking up a savage and inspiring anti-Trump work of artistic genius for the upcoming Joshua Tree tour. Or maybe he’s waiting to see which way the wind blows…

    12
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Goldberg
    Favourite Goldberg
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 6:10 PM

    His street name is 50 pence

    70
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Daly
    Favourite Tony Daly
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 6:19 PM

    @Goldberg: does that make any cents?

    36
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Goldberg
    Favourite Goldberg
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 6:23 PM

    If I had a dime for everytime someone told me that….

    27
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute john g mcgrath
    Favourite john g mcgrath
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 10:04 PM

    Sorry for bugging your phone Angela but some of the lads think your a Russian sleeper !!!

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alois Irlmaier
    Favourite Alois Irlmaier
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 11:57 PM

    @john g mcgrath: A Russian sleeper, MORE like one who sleeps around a lot with the corporate sector?

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tony Daly
    Favourite Tony Daly
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 6:11 PM

    Pence is one of Bomo’s new friends.

    47
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anne Marie Devlin
    Favourite Anne Marie Devlin
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 6:57 PM

    Since when did musicians get invited to international political summits? Anyway, I suppose trump gets bragging rights. Hillary only got beyonce, team trump got bono

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Flanagan
    Favourite Michael Flanagan
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 8:24 PM

    Because Bono campaigns on behalf of the one campaign that he works on. He’s not just there for show, much to people’s belief.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daisy Daisy
    Favourite Daisy Daisy
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 8:55 PM

    @Michael Flanagan: The campaign to raise millions so people can have expensive lunches to advocate on behalf of a poverty awareness raising campaign? Spend a couple of grand on an iPod so a fiver goes to Red to pay for a 5 star lunch where the wealthy are made aware that poverty exists!

    24
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave McCrea
    Favourite Dave McCrea
    Report
    Feb 19th 2017, 2:48 AM

    @Daisy Daisy: Wow….how cynical are you? Did you listen to his speech? It was actually very good. He didn’t have to be there, or formulate that speech, he could just act like Conor McGregor or someone. Yes, it’s a little embarrassing for some Irish people to see an Irish rock star doing this, but Bono doesn’t care about being embarrassed, that’s why he’s a rock star and you’re not

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute NsSNBbTZ
    Favourite NsSNBbTZ
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 4:41 PM

    Russia has to “prove itself”. I’d say the west has to prove itself at this stage. At least you can’t blame Russia on destroying the entire countries in Middle East. The fact of their presence in Syria is a consequence of political and moral weakness. I’m sure in a lot of countries people would love to have a president like Putin with he’s independent view, actions and strength he has.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chris Kirk
    Favourite Chris Kirk
    Report
    Feb 19th 2017, 10:34 AM

    @NsSNBbTZ: Russia has already proven itself as the schoolyard bully…..

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John003
    Favourite John003
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 3:10 PM

    Seems to be a continuation of Obama policy back to the cold war with Russia…..John McCain and the neocons have won the argument…No policy change under Trump…

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Jordan
    Favourite Mick Jordan
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 8:11 PM

    John003. How many times are we going to have this debate. Putin began the New Cold War over two decades ago. GW Bush was President when he began it. So it is not “back” to anything but a continuation of a situation of Putin’s making.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Beachmaster
    Favourite Beachmaster
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 3:15 PM
    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Jordan
    Favourite Mick Jordan
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 8:04 PM

    “Each country defined by it’s sovereignty” The words of Lavrov the Russian Foreign Minister. Absolutely hilarious and utterly hypocritical. When they invaded and annexed the sovereign territories of its neighbours.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 8:37 PM

    Anyone courting votes with the old sovereignty line has gold sovereigns in mind, & into their personal offshore account is my guess.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Aaron Griffin
    Favourite Aaron Griffin
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 5:05 PM

    Seems strange for the VP to take such a prominent rile in this engagement and comtradict much of what Trump has been saying for months . Connection with Comey meeting and expected developments perhaps ?

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
    Favourite Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 6:58 PM

    Pence was checking out the “bono” fides!!!

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Roughan Mac Namara
    Favourite Roughan Mac Namara
    Report
    Feb 19th 2017, 12:30 AM

    Just when you thought Bono couldn’t be more of a crawler and annoying dick. He’ll be praising Mugabe next.

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Flood
    Favourite John Flood
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 10:00 PM

    Bono. FFS!

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alois Irlmaier
    Favourite Alois Irlmaier
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 11:46 PM

    All this proves is Merkel is the President of the EU as every darn head or headbvck of a country meets her when it has anything to do with the E.U. Why?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Annie Citric
    Favourite Annie Citric
    Report
    Feb 19th 2017, 12:15 AM

    Credit where credit is due. Bono was finding common ground. A good move.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave McCrea
    Favourite Dave McCrea
    Report
    Feb 19th 2017, 2:44 AM

    @Annie Citric: Yes! Unfortunately we have too few people even attempting to find common ground. We know Pence was into gay conversion therapy, but that doesnt’ mean he doesn’t care about say starving babies in Africa. Nobody’s perfect but also nobody’s 100% flawed either…I’m sure there are some Nickelback fans who give to charitable causes.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute mrmeade
    Favourite mrmeade
    Report
    Feb 18th 2017, 11:29 PM

    Bono should STFU. Nobody in the trump cabinet deserves any praise whatsoever.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave McCrea
    Favourite Dave McCrea
    Report
    Feb 19th 2017, 2:41 AM

    @mrmeade: I’m anti-Trump but that statement is ridic… It’s kind of like saying all refugees are terrorists. You really think out of all the people in his cabinet, none of them have ANY good traits or ideas?

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Dave McCrea
    Favourite Dave McCrea
    Report
    Feb 19th 2017, 2:40 AM

    Listen to Bono’s speech. I was skeptical and cynical about him too but his speech was brilliant

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds