The Health Minister's being called on to introduce compulsory public inquests into the deaths of women during pregnancy and childbirth.

It follows confirmation of the death of a woman during emergency surgery at the National Maternity Hospital in Dublin's Holles Street last month.

It's reported the 34 year old woman died during the procedure to deal with an Ectopic pregnancy on May 8th.

The National Maternity Hospital says all maternal deaths are subject to a Coroner's inquiry.

The Association for Improvements in the Maternity Services says it's saddened and shocked to hear of the woman's death.

Spokesperson Krysia (pron: Kreesha) Lynch says new legislation is needed to ensure transparency about cases like this: