Guðrún Ágústa Guðmundsdóttir took the floor and put forward the following motion on behalf of the representatives of the Social Democratic Alliance and the Left-Green Party:“The Hafnarfjörður Town Council reiterates its previous resolutions and declarations regarding the importance of safeguarding the role and services of St. Joseph's Hospital for healthcare and primary care in Hafnarfjörður.The Town Council emphasises that a clear and unequivocal statement must be made by the Ministry of Welfare regarding this important role and the future status of St. Joseph's Hospital. The uncertainty regarding the hospital's status will not be resolved and there will be no consensus on the proposed changes unless a satisfactory statement is presented and confirmed by the ministry.“
Guðmundur Rúnar Árnason (sign), Guðrún Ágústa Guðmundsdóttir (sign), Lúðvík Geirsson (sign),
Gunnar Axel Axelsson (sign), Eyjólfur Sæmundsson (sign), Guðfinna Guðmundsdóttir (sign).
Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir made an intervention. Guðrún Ágústa Guðmundsdóttir replied to the intervention. Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir made an intervention a second time. Guðrún Ágústa Guðmundsdóttir replied to the objection a second time. Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir made a brief remark. Guðrún Ágústa Guðmundsdóttir made a brief remark. Kristinn Andersen took the floor. Then Gunnar Axel Axelsson. Kristinn Andersen made a point of order. Gunnar Axel Axelsson replied to the point of order. Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir made a point of order regarding Gunnar Axel Axelsson's previous speech. Gunnar Axel Axelsson replied to the point of order. Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir made a point of order for a second time. Gunnar Axel Axelsson replied to the point of order for a second time. Ludvík Geirsson made a point of order regarding Gunnar Axel Axelsson's previous speech. Geir Jónsson spoke. Gunnar Axel Axelsson made a point of order. Guðrún Ágústa Guðmundsdóttir made a point of order regarding Geir Jónsson's previous speech. Geir Jónsson responded to the point of order. Guðmundur Rúnar Árnason, the mayor, took the floor. Kristinn Andersen intervened. Guðmundur Rúnar Árnason replied to the intervention. Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir intervened in the previous speech by Guðmundur Rúnar Árnason. Guðmundur Rúnar replied to the intervention. Eyjólfur Sæmundsson took the floor. The second vice-chair, Guðrún Ágústa Guðmundsdóttir, took over the chair. The first vice-chair took over the chair again.
Geir Jónsson spoke. Then Guðmundur Rúnar Árnason, the mayor.
A short recess was taken. A vote was taken on the proposed motion, which was passed with 6 votes in favour and 5 abstentions.
Geir Jónsson spoke and submitted the following statement on behalf of the Independence Party representatives:
“The Town Councillors of the Independence Party regret the outcome of the operations of St. Joseph's Hospital and place full responsibility on the Minister of Welfare. It is the opinion of the undersigned that the spirit of the minister's letter of 2nd December has not been observed, as in practice a takeover of the hospital's operations has occurred, rather than a merger.
It is noteworthy how weak the opposition of the council majority has been in this matter, compared with the reaction to the attack on the hospital two years ago. It is agreed that it is urgent to obtain a statement from the Minister of Welfare on the future of those activities where uncertainty still remains, such as the pharmacy, the research and X-ray department. It is urged that discussions be entered into with the Ministry of Welfare to increase other activities of the National University Hospital in the St. Joseph's Hospital premises following the merger.“ “ Tahoma?,?sans-serif?; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt?>
Geir Jónsson (sign), Valdimar Svavarsson (sign), Rósa Guðbjartsdóttir (sign)
Kristinn Andersen (sign) Helga Ingólfsdóttir (sign).A short recess was taken. COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 10pt?>Guðmundur Rúnar Árnason took the floor and submitted the following statement on behalf of the representatives of the Social Democratic Alliance and the Left-Green Movement:
“The councillor's booking for the Independence Party clearly shows that party political interests matter more than broad political consensus in this important struggle to defend the operations of St Joseph's Hospital and Sólvangur.
The town council and municipal authorities have upheld the interests of the hospital and the town's residents with full resolve and determination, and it is right to draw attention to the fact that the leaders of all the town council's parties have had close and good cooperation in this regard on und recent months in the same way that the town council has stood together on this important issue in recent years.“
Guðmundur Rúnar Árnason (sign), Guðrún Ágústa Guðmundsdóttir (sign), Lúðvík Geirsson (sign)
Gunnar Axel Axelsson (sign), Eyjólfur Sæmundsson (sign), Guðfinna Guðmundsdóttir (sign).