Health Committee to assess procedures at Portlaoise and Cavan maternity units

The Dáil's Health Committee is assessing procedures in maternity units at the Midlands Regional Hospital Portlaoise and Cavan General Hospital.

It follows concerns about the standard of safety and care and will discuss clinical risks which have been previously highlighted.

Last year, the health watchdog HIQA launched an investigation into the patient safety culture at Portlaoise Hospital, after the deaths of five babies since 2007.

The Oireachtas Health Committee has been having discussions about maternity services and how they can provide high quality care into the future.