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Professor Shane Higgins, Master of the National Maternity Hospital. RollingNews.ie

Master of NMH says he can't understand 'vitriol of opposition' to new maternity hospital

The Oireachtas Health Committee discussed the issue in a heated session last night.

LAST UPDATE | 13 May 2022

THE MASTER OF the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) Professor Shane Higgins has said he cannot understand the “vitriol of the opposition” to plans for the new hospital on the St Vincent’s Hospital campus.

Professor Higgins was speaking at a media briefing today about the plans to move the NMH from its current location at Holles Street to the new campus, which have been met with opposition from campaign groups and some politicians.

He said he wanted to stress again that he and all of the clinical staff at the hospital are confident that there will not be any influence from the Catholic Church on services provided at the new hospital. 

“We believe that the the legal framework protects the hospital, protects our ability, protects our independence – our operational and clinical independence, which is fundamental to the running of the voluntary hospital,” he said.

“We will have our own board, which will function completely independently of St Vincent’s Healthcare Group, although it will have representatives from the group, but that’s not through any landlord licensee operation, it will be because we are on a campus and it’s an integrated service.”

The briefing this morning follows Higgins’ appearance yesterday evening at a session of the Oireachtas Health Committee, where he told members that the discussion around the phrase ‘clinically appropriate’ has led to a “misplaced fear” that it will allow the Vatican to stop certain procedures.

He said this wording serves as future-proofing, to ensure that the new maternity hospital cannot be converted into any other type of hospital in the future.

Former master of the NMH Dr Peter Boylan also appeared before the committee, outlining why he has concerns over the wording used in the framework.

“The phrase ‘clinically appropriate’ is a major red flag. Providing healthcare on the basis of this test removes autonomy from women and gives the sole decision-making capacity to doctors,” Boylan said.

“These words qualify access to services and enshrine justification for refusing legally permissible treatments.”

When asked today about Dr Boylan’s views, Professor Higgins said he, as the current Master of the NMH, speaks on behalf of the 1,200 staff currently working in the hospital, who support the plans.

“Dr Boylan was the Master here, I think he was the Master here 25 years ago, there have been three masters since then -  Declan Keane, Michael Robinson and Rhona Mahony – who are all 100% in favour of moving to St Vincent’s,” he said.

He said he was “not sure that he [Dr Boylan] has the understanding of the proposed move and the detail”. 

Professor Higgins said the campaign against the hospital’s relocation had changed direction once it became apparent that the Sisters of Charity had divested their interest.

“They’ve moved away from the nuns and now ‘clinically appropriate’ is the new hot topic, or the leasehold,” he said. “I think when you drill down, if you take them all separately and look at them from a purely objective point of view, none of them hold any water.

“The same individual has said that this hospital is fit for purpose and I challenge anyone in the room to say that the National Maternity Hospital is fit for purpose in terms of a 21st century maternity service.

“He’s disputed the definition of a nightingale award and I don’t want to get into the negative, I think the clinical imperative is clearly laid out and no one will dispute it. So I’m not going to speak for Dr Boylan, he was a very highly respected clinician for his entire career, but I don’t understand the vitriol of the opposition.”

The hospital has compiled a list of answers to the main questions members of the public may have about the plans, covering topics such as the ethos, ownership, the company directors and the clinical procedures that will be available at the hospital.

Professor Higgins said that while he had no issue with the inclusion of the term ‘clinically appropriate’ in the framework, he can now “see how much concern it has caused”. 

He said, having seen how much upset and concern it caused, the NMH would be open to either defining it or having it removed. 

“We don’t believe it’s going to impact on what we will or will not be able to do with the new development at Elm Park,” he said.

Cabinet decision next week 

Separately, Taoiseach Micheál Martin indicated today that Cabinet will press on and make a decision on the hospital on Tuesday. 

He suggested today that the phrase “legally permissible” is “very clear” that any procedure that is legal in Ireland has to be provided at the new maternity hospital.

“The guarantees are cast iron in respect of all legally permissible services being made available at the hospital. The constitution of the new hospital is very strong in terms of all services being made available,” Martin told reporters today in Kildare.

“‘Lawfully permissible’ is very clear – anything that’s legal in this country has to be provided at the new hospital, and is currently provided at Holles Street,” he said.

“The guarantees are cast iron in respect of all legally permissible services being made available at the hospital. The constitution of the new hospital is very strong in terms of all services being made available. Also, the operating licence of the HSE (provides further assurances).

“Above all, the clinicians in the hospital I listen to a lot. Many women involved in maternity, obstetrics and midwifery are unanimous that this hospital must go ahead in the interest of the health of the women in the country,” said the Taoiseach. 

Separately, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media Catherine Martin, who is understood to have called on Cabinet for more time to review the deal, stated today:

“As agreed by government, a decision to approve the National Maternity Hospital’s move to St Vincent’s Hospital was delayed for two weeks in order to give more time for Ministers, medical experts and the public to reflect on the proposals and address genuine concerns.

“Minister Stephen Donnelly and other witnesses appeared before the Oireachtas Committee and gave clarity around concerns about “the clinical independence” of procedures at the new hospital.

“During this necessary extended two week period of time, I sought answers and assurances in correspondence from my Cabinet colleague, the NMH, the HSE as well as St Vincent’s Healthcare Group.

List of procedures

“These centred on a non exhaustive list outlining what procedures will be available at the NMH, the use of the term “clinically appropriate” for services agreed by the parties involved, current and future funding for important services for women as well as safeguards that will protect the State’s significant investment in the new hospital,” she said.

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The minister was supplied with a letter from the St Vincent’s Hospital Group that a number of procedures, such as abortion, will be carried out at the new hospital. 

The minister said it was important that Donnelly and expert witnesses respond to, elaborate upon and answer in public session at the committee, the valid questions of concerns raised.

“I am satisfied that following assurances received (including written assurances I received containing required additional clarifications, including from the St Vincent’s Healthcare Group) that this has resulted in greater transparency around this project. I now believe that the safeguards and protections are there to protect services for women,” she concluded. 

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35 Comments
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    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Noel_Random
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    Dec 9th 2018, 12:10 AM

    The clue is in the job spec. Temporary.

    644
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    Mute Patabake Kennedy
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    Dec 9th 2018, 12:40 AM

    @Noel_Random: Seems to me that the card is also temporary. What use is it anyway.

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    Mute Greedylocks
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    Dec 9th 2018, 2:57 AM

    @Noel_Random: 1984

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    Mute Ian Breathnach
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    Dec 9th 2018, 4:09 AM

    @Greedylocks: yeah but no.

    15
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    Mute DJ François
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    Dec 9th 2018, 7:42 AM

    @Global-Dominance: You need to quit drinking the alt right kool aid. No such thing will happen.

    37
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    Mute Dave Barrett
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    Dec 9th 2018, 9:10 AM

    @Patabake Kennedy: its all in the big plan where everything about a person will have it contained in the Card. Big brother stuff.

    30
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    Mute Donal Hunt
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    Dec 9th 2018, 9:10 AM

    @Noel_Random: having managed projects in the past that made use of staff on short-term contracts (anything from a few days to a few weeks), the guidance I’ve received in the past is very clear. There should be a clear delineation of work and contracts should not be continuously extended (most companies aim to complete the relevant scope within 11 months while there is scope to extend it).

    Once you have staff on your books for more than 2 years, it’s hard to claim the work is temporary or exceptional. Any competent project manager would take this into account and design the project in such a way that they comply with the legislation in this area.

    Worth noting that the same people may have been working on different contracts over a longer period of time (i.e. there is room for contractors / temp staff to be placed with the same organisation over and over). However, there must be clear definition of responsibilities and most organisations ensure there are periods between contracts to avoid any misunderstanding regarding employment status.

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    Mute Gerard Heery
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    Dec 9th 2018, 11:14 AM

    @DJ François: Ireland will become a safe multicultural dumping ground for the EU with its sea boarder it’s ideal for them containing any agro that will arise when they the streets are not made of gold

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    Mute Michael Lynch
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    Dec 9th 2018, 11:35 AM

    @Ian Breathnach: MillennialSpeak.

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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Dec 9th 2018, 12:20 PM

    @Patabake Kennedy: very useful I’d say.

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    Mute Tommy Roche
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    Dec 9th 2018, 12:38 PM

    @DJ François: Alt right kool aid ? Lol, just apply for the green card and go.

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    Mute Nollaig Elliot
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    Dec 9th 2018, 1:17 AM

    I don’t see the problem here. Surely you read your contract before signing it. At least I always do anyway. Also, they are being given loads of time to sort themselves out. Usually lay offs you are told that day or at best that week.

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    Mute john s
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    Dec 9th 2018, 1:38 AM

    @Nollaig Elliot: once u have unions involved they threaten strikes and bully employers . Lucas drivers signed up to contracts yet strikes for more even though they signed very good contracts. Kill the golden goose that’s what unions do

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    Mute JesusMoreBullshit
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    Dec 9th 2018, 9:22 AM

    @Nollaig Elliot: Temporary 6yrs is an awful long time

    29
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    Mute Bhiniáimin Ó Beith
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    Dec 9th 2018, 12:29 AM

    If they’re trained civil servants surely some of them can be transferred to other departments or even local authorities why waste the experience that they have?

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    Mute Alan Walter Gallagher
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    Dec 9th 2018, 1:29 AM

    @Bhiniáimin Ó Beith: “trained civil servants” …anyone can push empty envelopes around and pretend to be busy!

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    Mute Declan Curley
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    Dec 9th 2018, 3:57 AM

    @Alan Walter Gallagher: yawn

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    Mute David Glynn
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    Dec 9th 2018, 7:33 AM

    Missing the point.This is about people. They have done a good job or would have been let go. Government should lead by example.
    As similar vacancies at the grade arise they should be offered to them.
    Temporary clerical staff tend to be people in their late thirties upwards who want security to raise ther families. And what’s wrong with that unless you want everyone to be on zero hours contracts in dead end jobs.
    Full marks to the unions.

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    Mute Cheapy Ryan
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    Dec 9th 2018, 10:26 AM

    @David Glynn: You’re havin a laugh.
    Since when has anyone in the public service ever been fired for being useless at their job?
    This is more of the same from the same unions that insisted on not a single redundancy when the HSE was being set up.
    Double-jobbing is meat and drink to them, means more subs for their slush funds, and ridiculous salaries.

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    Mute Irene Donegan
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    Dec 9th 2018, 12:50 PM

    @David Glynn: Given the delay in processing various claims such as Carers and Disability Allowances, there’s obviously a need for more staff in the DEASP.

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    Mute Honeybee
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    Dec 9th 2018, 12:38 AM

    Well now that the writing is on the wall for these staff,they should look out for a new job and quit before they are handed their P45 and drop the government and their PSC contract ,the movable feast is a staff option also.

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    Mute John Moylan
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    Dec 9th 2018, 1:52 AM

    @Honeybee: no need to rush out and quit. Given the States inability to manage projects (PPARS, Tribunals, NCH etc), this job could run & run…

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    Mute Michael Lynch
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    Dec 9th 2018, 11:38 AM

    @Honeybee: Now the condescending c u next tuesdays will see life from the other side of the bulletproof glass.

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Dec 9th 2018, 2:11 AM

    These cards were useless anyway. Another e vote machine. Says it all about the incompetence of this government. Millions wasted.. and again workers pay the price.

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    Mute Tony Harris
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    Dec 9th 2018, 2:28 AM

    @Donal Desmond: Useless??? What about the money saved through the detection of fraudulent social welfare payments for 1. No more cases of people claiming payments multiple times in different counties. Should be compulsory.

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    Mute Ian Breathnach
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    Dec 9th 2018, 3:48 AM

    @Tony Harris: how does the PSC prevent people claiming payments in multiple countries? Hmmmm you’re a bit fcked up. PSC card is a good idea but not as a national ID card by default.

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    Mute Cian
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    Dec 9th 2018, 7:33 AM

    @Ian Breathnach: He said counties.

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    Mute Donal Desmond
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    Dec 9th 2018, 1:28 PM

    @Tony Harris: Pity your comment does not include the bankers and developers let’s not forget Nama, The money recovered from social welfare fraud was miniscule compared to the Billions lost through the gangsterism of the above mentioned. The people convicted of social welfare fraud had not the resources of the state to shread evidence , or give inadmissible evidence in criminal cases concerning bankers. Of course the card was not designed for these gangsters.

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    Mute Brendan Hughes
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    Dec 9th 2018, 12:12 AM

    It would be cheaper in the long run to to terminate the contracts and pay compensation.

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    Mute Anti Toxic Quango
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    Dec 9th 2018, 7:51 AM

    Anther FG catastrophic waste of taxpayers money adding to the I/W Ltd and Leo’s €1.7 million spin unit….

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Dec 9th 2018, 1:51 AM

    So bottom line is, it was all just another disgusting waist of taxpayers money, again!!

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    Mute Raymond McGee
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    Dec 9th 2018, 2:12 AM

    @Colette Kearns: waist?? As in tummy?

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    Mute Greg Blake
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    Dec 9th 2018, 2:28 AM

    @Colette Kearns: I beg to differ, the cards can be very useful, only recently I went out to find ice on my windscreen, the card scraped it off in a jiffy. A marvel of technology in public administration.

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Dec 9th 2018, 2:35 AM

    @Raymond McGee: yes as in “ you in dummy “ thanks for your observation though!

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    Mute Ian Breathnach
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    Dec 9th 2018, 3:45 AM

    @Colette Kearns: I’d say you thumbed up your own comment.

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    Mute Thomas Murphy
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    Dec 9th 2018, 9:02 AM

    They should also include finger print recognition or retina. Its the only way to limit payments to one per person. It would only be needed for a 2 month period every year to cut people claiming more than their fair share out.
    Any oposition to this would only be from multiple claimants

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    Mute Paul Murphy
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    Dec 9th 2018, 9:05 AM

    If their contracts were allowed to roll over for 4 years without a break technically they become permanent employees with contracts of indefinite duration. However if the continuity of the employment is broken if only for a day they loose that right. I think those managing the contracts have dropped the ball and the employees will get a full time job by default. Happens all the time in the public service

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    Mute Dam IenCahill
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    Dec 9th 2018, 2:24 PM

    @Paul Murphy: not really.. are you saying that the legislation is designed to force headcount increases. Read it again. Justification is a hint

    1
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    Mute John Mulligan
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    Dec 9th 2018, 12:19 PM

    It’s like saying that a builder must retain the blocklayers after the houses are built.

    19
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    Mute Micheal S. O' Ceilleachair
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    Dec 9th 2018, 5:43 AM

    The key to the successful outcomes was the element of CID. In the teaching profession when a teacher reached a certain time on continuing unbroken temporary employment they automatically became fully employed even though the original employment had been temporary continuously. This entitled them to panel rights of redeployment and so on if the post was lost due to falling pupil numbers.
    If the CID was successful in one of these card cases then has a precedent been set?

    18
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    Mute Donal Hunt
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    Dec 9th 2018, 9:16 AM

    @Micheal S. O’ Ceilleachair: It would depend on the contracts and communication with the worker. Every case is different and its quite possible the work the successful complainant was different to these recent five.

    Projects typically have a number of roles and if you end up doing something similar to full-time staff but on different terms, the WRC will likely rule in your favour of you are being denied your rights.

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    Mute ChuckE
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    Dec 9th 2018, 10:01 AM

    Unions again. Temp job claiming they might have other work to do if they are kept on. A scam if nothing else and unions again pursuing the jobs for life mentality. It is the main cause of some bloated public service sectors

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    Mute is our stadium ready?
    Favourite is our stadium ready?
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    Dec 9th 2018, 3:32 AM

    No.

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    Mute Thomas Molloy
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    Dec 9th 2018, 10:07 AM

    We live in two parallel worlds, that of the honest and that of the dishonest yet we can only have one set of rules.

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    Mute Ian Breathnach
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    Dec 9th 2018, 3:41 AM

    “I’m entitled to a life long job” oh fck off.

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    Mute TamuMassif2019
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    Dec 9th 2018, 11:31 PM

    So who got most of that 60 million or can that money not be traced anymore?

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    Mute marg fitzgerald
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    Dec 9th 2018, 9:06 PM

    They should contact Mary Mitchell O’Connor, she thinks contracts mean nothing. If you want to stay on you should.

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