The St Vincent’s Hospital Group (SVHG) has said it must retain ownership of the site that the new National Maternity Hospital is due to be built on even while reiterating that abortions and other procedures contrary to Catholic ethics would be carried out there.

In a statement the group said it is “more than willing” to meet the Government to discuss plans, but “for the delivery of integrated patient care on the Elm Park Campus, SVHG must retain ownership of the site”.

The Government has said it wants to buy the land that the new hospital will be located on amid concerns about ownership and religious ethos.

In a statement on Tuesday, the St Vincent’s Healthcare Group said it “remains committed” to the new hospital.

The group said that “for the avoidance of doubt” the “new National Maternity Hospital will be clinically independent.”

“There will be no religious or Vatican influence”.

The statement added: “All medical procedures, in accordance with the laws of the land, are available in SVHG hospitals, including pregnancy termination, tubal ligation and gender reassignment procedures.”