The Minister for Health, Mr Cowen, declined to comment on the circumstances of the delivery of a new-born baby girl at Sligo General Hospital on August 31st, 1995, and on her death.

The North Western Health Board had reported to his Department on the case which indicated it had been referred to the Medical Council. As the council had statutory responsibility on such matters, it would be inappropriate to comment, he said.

He was responding to the Fine Gael spokesman on health, Mr Alan Shatter, who requested an inquiry into the death.