Data from all maternity units is to be recorded and analysed at a new national specialist centre, according to Minister for Health Mary Harney.
The new national perinatal epidemiology centre in Cork University Hospital would ensure that "unusual trends" were easily and quickly observed and, most importantly, acted upon, Ms Harney said yesterday.
Speaking about the Lourdes hospital inquiry in the Dáil, she said that the centre, which is to open this autumn, would improve clinical services for mothers and babies.
"This means that every time a mother gives birth in this country, the important interventions, the good outcomes and the complications will be recorded and analysed at a national specialist centre."
The centre, which will receive €630,000 in funding each year, has been based on an Australian model. Priorities include devising a single identical maternity chart for all maternity hospitals and establishing standardised data collections in all maternity wards, with one labour ward system being used throughout the State.
"This is the first very important step in re-establishing trust and ensuring that services to mothers and their babies born in Ireland are based on the best possible research," she said. Cork was ideal because of the recent completion of Cork University Maternity Hospital, she added.