The Minister for Health has admitted he cannot be sure that the problems which led to the deaths of infants in Portlaoise are not present elsewhere.
The HSE has taken over the running of the maternity unit at the Midlands Regional Hospital after a release of a report from the chief medical officer Tony Holohan.
Investigations are now under way into the treatment of a fifth child who died shortly after being delivered at the hospital.
James Reilly says he has no problems with compensation being paid to the families - but that he cannot guarantee the same issues haven't arisen elsewhere:
The head of Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise has apologised unreservedly to parents, whose babies died there in recent years. John Connaughton also expressed regret for the poor treatment the families received at that time.
It comes after a report into the deaths of four babies at the hospital said the maternity service cannot be regarded as safe and sustainable within its current governance arrangements.
The damning report says there were clear failures in the management of risk and patient safety in the Laois facility.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has put in place a transition team to take control of maternity services in Portlaoise.
The Chief Medical Officer Dr. Tony Holohan was appointed at the end of January to compile a report into four perinatal deaths at the Midlands Regional Hospital in Portlaoise.
Mr. Connaughton issued this statement this afternoon.
A 'Prime Time' documentary revealed that the babies died shortly after birth in similar circumstances over a six-year period at the Laois facility. However they were not suffering from any abnormalities at the onset of labour.
The Health Minister embraces Natasha Molyneaux (right) whose baby Nathan died in Portlaoise
The report today concluded that the maternity service in Portlaoise cannot be regarded as safe and sustainable within its current governance arrangements.
It also says there were clear failures in the management of risk and patient safety and as result, the HSE has put in place a transition team to take control of maternity services at the hospital.
The report says the families and patients were treated in a poor and at times appalling manner with limited respect, kindness, courtesy and consideration.
Dr. Tony Holohan compiled the report.
While the Health Minister Dr. James Reilly has asked for a broader examination of maternity services around the country.
The Taoiseach has said the recommendations from a report into the deaths of four children in Portlaoise will be implemented immediately.
Enda Kenny says the report from the Chief Medical Officer, Tony Holohan, make for grim reading.
Speaking at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis this evening, the Taoiseach paid tribute to the health minister James Reilly for his handling of the situation.
And he's promised that the problems in Portlaoise won't happen again:
