Mr. Phelim Quinn:

Absolutely, but within any health care system, when national standards are endorsed by a Minister and disseminated into the system, primary responsibility for adherence to those standards has to sit with the provider of that service.

On the question of the memorandum of understanding between the Coombe hospital and Portlaoise hospital, Ms Mary Dunnion has outlined some of the measures that have started to take effect and that have resulted in some level of improvement in maternity services in Portlaoise hospital. However, I believe our obstetric colleagues within the investigation team believe there is a way to go here, because that memorandum of understanding enables clarity in relation to patient pathways. There is the question about which pregnant women avail of services within Portlaoise hospital and which women presenting with a higher risk are referred on to obstetricians and midwives within the Coombe hospital. Also, there is the question of learning across the two sides and the rotation of both obstetric staff and midwifery staff across the two sides to maintain competence within their particular disciplines.

Deputy Fleming asked about the physical resources in Portlaoise hospital, and he asked a specific question about the physical environment and the experiences of those who had been bereaved. Ms Mary Dunnion might like to reply to that question, as she was closer to dealing with that specific issue.