The Tanaiste says Ireland is one of the safest places in the world to give birth.
Eamon Gilmore's comments come as a helpline opens at The Midlands Regional Hospital in Portloaise today for people concerned about giving birth at the facility.
It follows a documentary entitled "Fatal Failures" which highlighted the deaths of four babies over a six year period at the hospital.
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It emerged that prior to these deaths, midwifery staff at Portlaoise had written to two Ministers expressing concern over low staffing levels at the hospital.
The HSE has since apologised to the families.
Speaking at The Labour Women's national conference in Dublin, Eamon Gilmore says the government has sent a strong message to hospitals:
