I was asked to discuss and debate sustainable mobility and how we accelerate it. It would not have been right for me to ignore that. The issue the Deputy raises is important and also needs to be debated.

Had that been suggested, I would have been quite happy to agree to it. I came into the Chamber on the understanding-----

I was given a paper. I actually gave my own speech along the lines that we were here to discuss accelerating sustainable mobility. That is what I did. I heard no one say the debate should be on the airport. Had it been, I would have been happy to accede to that. However, to criticise me after the fact for following the Dáil instructions is not fair.

I did not give the instruction.

I presume it is the Government. The Government made the decision that we would have statements on sustainable mobility as I understand it a week ago.

Had someone raised that, I would have happily accommodated it. No one asked for that in advance.

I very much appreciate the opportunity to consider and think about controversial things or look at different options, particularly when it comes to meeting the energy challenge we have before us, which is to remove ourselves from our dependence on imported fossil fuels and create a sustainable, secure and competitive energy supply for our people. Having considered and looked at that question over many years now, I have always said that we should consider a whole variety of different options. Following on fairly qui…

I very much appreciate the contributions of the various Deputies. That characteristic of listening to each other and coming to a common understanding of what we should do next is going to be essential in the development of a statutory just transition commission. I hear the various concerns from across the country, which are many, varied and valid. We have to create a system that is flexible, fast and effective. I agree with Deputy Hourigan's point that the example of the Scottish and Welsh Governments, which have e…

I thank Senator Boyhan for the opportunity to respond to this amendment and to the debate. The main purpose of the Bill is to amend the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000, to facilitate a revised board composition for the Marine Casualty Investigation Board, MCIB, and thereby remove risks associated with the current reduced board membership and ensure the quorum requirements of the Act continue to be met. The Bill is a transitional legislative measure to support the continued functionin…

I accept what Senator Boyhan said about the critical role played by the Opposition. I must go back and look at my own record. Opposition amendments are an important part of the legislative process and it is important that the Government is open to accepting them. The Senator's words will echo in my ears as we look at various amendments in the future. I thank all of the Senators for the speedy way in which this Bill has progressed through the House. There was a delay initially caused by the Government side, for whic…

They do an excellent job in this and other legislation. I have found them a pillar of good common sense. Public interest is what directs them and they, more than anyone else, deserve credit for the work that is done in this area. I look forward to returning to the Seanad with further legislation on the area of marine casualty investigation to follow through on the words that have been expressed.

The Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media was asked these questions yesterday. As she rightly stated, what we decided at Cabinet on Tuesday is that it would be very good for us to have this debate in order to have full scrutiny and transparency with all the legal documents because people on all sides and from various different parties are concerned. It was right and appropriate for us to make the decision that the Minister for Health would go before the Joint Committee on Health and answer…

The original approach in terms of how this would be structured was set out in the Mulvey report in 2016. The Government has changed what was set down somewhat. The lease arrangement was originally for 149 years; it is now for 300 years and will cost €10 a year. It is my understanding that the Sisters of Charity were asked if they wanted to sell the land. Their response was that they did not want to do so. My understanding is that they are no longer in the business of healthcare. The St. Vincent's Healthcare Group h…

The underlying argument in favour of co-location remains. There are good reasons for this, including ensuring the provision of good medical care for women. Patients should be able to go from one ward to the another; from the maternity hospital to the general hospital.

As I said in my response to the question from Deputy Doherty, my understanding is that the Government and that which preceded it did approach St. Vincent's to see if it would be possible to purchase the land outright. The hospital group decided that it, as a voluntary hospital, wanted to run with the arrangement involving Holles Street and the new board . That arrangement has changed, with public interest directors being added to the board. With St. Vincent's saying "No" and with real benefits in a co-located syste…

Sorry, the Mercy hospital in Cork was built. We do not build a lot of maternity hospitals, and we are incredibly slow at delivering them. We need to deliver. A 300-year lease gives us the reassurances that we need. The legal structures give real assurance against the risk of religious interference, which, I understand, has been a real concern. I believe that matter has been addressed. In my mind, doing nothing, walking away and deciding not to take that option would not be the right approach. We look forward to the…

With regard to the status of the institution, the other people I have listened to, including women friends, colleagues, those who are connected to the hospital and clinicians-----

I am trying to read every single document.

Can I just make the point-----

I wish to make the point that it seems to me that the vast majority of clinicians in the existing hospital are arguing very strongly that we should proceed.