The Labour Party is demanding an explanation from Minister for Health Mary Harney about the delay in the publication of a report into the death of Patrick Walsh at Monaghan General Hospital.

An ombudsman for the health service is urgently needed to restore public confidence, the Dáil heard today.

The death of a 75-year-old Monaghan man in hospital is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive, not a blame game for politicians, HSE chief executive Brendan Drumm said today.

THE family of an elderly man who died after he was denied basic surgery because of hospital cutbacks has said he suffered a death no animal would be allowed endure.

HEALTH Minister Micheál Martin last night rejected attempts by the North Eastern Health Board to defend its treatment of premature baby Bronagh Livingstone after an independent report said the wrong decisions were taken prior to her death.

Action must be taken to ensure there is no repeat of a situation in which a baby girl died after her mother was refused treatment at a hospital, Minister for Health Micheál Martin said today.

The North Eastern Health Board has rejected some of the criticism levelled at it following the death of a premature baby at Cavan General Hospital on Wednesday.

A 28-day bread and water fast has now officially begun outside the Department of the Taoiseach over the row at Monaghan general hospital.

A man is in custody in Monaghan following a bungled hijacking in Dublin city centre.