Enda Kenny's made the comments in the Dáil in the wake of what he called a damning, clear, dark and disturbing report into management of Portlaoise hospital, following the deaths of eight babies and the death of a child at Cavan hospital yesterday.
The Taoiseach and other political leaders have expressed sympathy with the family of the baby that died in Cavan.
Enda Kenny says it's imperative that the recommendations of the HIQA report are implemented across all maternity services:
This latest death has raised questions about the standard of maternity care in Ireland and comes following the publication of a damning HIQA report last week into maternity services at Portlaoise Hospital.
When that investigation was first mooted, the then Minister for Health James Reilly indicated that he wanted HIQA to look at Cavan General Hospital as well.
Speaking earlier today, Minister Reilly said he wrote to HIQA last year and asked them to do just that.