The resignation of the chief executive officer of the North Eastern Health Board, as well as the board's medical adviser, will be sought at a special meeting of the board today.
The meeting in Kells, Co Meath, has been called to discuss the three reports into the death of baby Bronagh Livingstone last month.
Bronagh Livingstone died after her mother, Ms Denise Livingstone, was sent by ambulance from Monaghan General Hospital to Cavan Hospital despite being in an advanced stage of premature labour.
Ms Livingstone was almost 25 weeks pregnant. Bronagh was born en route and despite breathing for the rest of the onward journey died shortly after arrival at Cavan.
Three reports into the incident were prepared - one by NEHB risk management staff, one by the board's medical adviser, Mr Finbar Lennon, and one by an independent review panel appointed by the Minister for Health, Mr Martin.
Mr Lennon offered his resignation following the publication of the independent report, saying that as medical adviser he had "a very significant responsibility for ensuring that the delivery of care in the acute hospitals \ safe" and as such it was "appropriate" that he step down.
Mr Paul Robinson, the chief executive officer, did not accept the resignation.
Both Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD and Mr Paudge Connolly TD, members of the board, will this afternoon demand that Mr Robinson accept Mr Lennon's resignation. "The medical advice this man [Mr Lennon] has been giving has been shown to be highly questionable," said Mr Connolly. "And I think Mr Robinson should certainly consider his position."
Mr Ó Caoláin said Mr Robinson should "follow [Mr Lennon's] lead" and tender his resignation also.
Welcoming the appointment of a management consultant, Mr Kevin Bonnar, by the Minister, to oversee the implementation of the independent panel's recommendations, Mr Connolly said the appointment was a demonstration that Mr Martin had little confidence in the chief executive officer. "That's the only interpretation that can be put on it," he said.
Mr Bonnar had a preliminary meeting with Mr Robinson at the end of last month and begins work with the board next Monday..
Meanwhile, the Irish Nurses Organisation has begun an internal investigation into the actions of one of its members, Ms Nancy Allen, who with INO support, resigned from the NEHB last month when it refused to discuss the Livingstone case.
Ms Allen has "done a complete U-turn", the organisation's north-east representative, Ms Patsy Doyle said. Ms Allen is to attend today's meeting, "without the backing of the INO", said Ms Doyle.
The INO will mount a presence outside the meeting, she added.
