Mr. Tony O'Brien:

I have apologised for two things. In a number of the baby deaths that were the subject of the HIQA report, there are reports that confirm that there were failings in clinical care. I unreservedly apologise for those.

More particularly what I apologise for are some of the more extraordinary aspects of the interaction that we heard about, including the transportation of remains in the boots of taxis or in a biscuit tin, the lack of candour and the lack of compassion. One of the most egregious aspects for Mr. and Mrs. Molloy was the fact that baby Mark was recorded as stillborn even though we know from the investigation report that he lived for a very short but very significant 22 minutes. I know that weighs very heavily in this process. If that has not been rectified, we will take steps to ensure it is rectified in the registration process.

On the "Prime Time" question, I can confirm that I have no knowledge of any of the matters raised but I will make contact with my counterpart in RTE, who is also called a director general, in order that he can explain the issues to me and we can decide how we can progress them. An earlier question was framed around the issue of legal action, but I am certain there was none of that.