The Green Party has called the decision to grant the Sisters of Charity ownership of the new maternity hospital as "Wholly Inappropriate".
It comes as an online petition to block the religious order from owning the new facility has received thousands of signatures.
Grace O'Sullivan is a Waterford-based senator with the Greens.
She explains the party's stance.
"We in the Greens feel it's wholly inappropriate given that the religious order have failed to meet their obligation under the redress scheme in relation to institutional abuse survivors."
"It's just a shock that the government has made this decision."
She says people are in shock over the decision.
"I think there will be a national reaction to this decision and I think the public will demand to get some answers."
"How could people have confidence in a decision like this, particularly the maternity services, it just simply beggars belief."
