The Government will not oppose a Dáil motion to be debated tonight calling for the compulsory purchase of the site for the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH).

However, the Government has not changed its position and does not intend to purchase the site. Instead, it is seeking to conclude a long-term lease – expected to be 299 years – with the St Vincent’s Healthcare Group, owners of the site adjacent to St Vincent’s Hospital in Dublin 4.

Critics of the Government plan allege, without direct evidence, that unless the State owns the site outright, the relocated hospital could be prevented from carrying out procedures such as abortion which are contrary to Catholic teaching. This is because the owners of the site are the successors to the order of nuns who founded and originally ran St Vincent’s Hospital.

However, this has been denied by both the Government, and the board of directors of the St Vincent’s Hospital Group, who have repeatedly affirmed that all medical procedures legal in the State, including abortion, will be available in the hospital.

The motion, promoted by far-left TDs Joan Collins and Thomas Pringle, will not be binding on the Government.