Pregnant women's group slams Hanly report

The National Birth Alliance has said the Hanly report will lead to a rise in roadside births.

The group representing pregnant mothers criticised the report, which aims to centralise hospital services and recommends slashing maternity services by two thirds.

Spokesperson Marie O'Connor said closing almost 400 maternity beds outside Dublin would be a serious health hazard.

She said: "We are going to see a rise in induction’s, we are going to see a rise in women having their labours speeded up because of the numbers in those hospitals that will remain post Hanley.

"There are going to be fewer choices in childbirth and we are going to see a rise in the number of caesarean sections. It is simply not a good deal for mothers and babies."