Philomena Canning, an independent midwife, has been reinstated by the HSE to assist in home births.

The HSE withdrew Ms Canning’s professional indemnity to practice last year, following what was described as "two serious incidents".

According to the Irish Times, the HSE’s solicitor Arthur Cox wrote to lawyers for Ms Canning on Wednesday to say “the necessary foundation no longer existing for the continuation of the temporary suspension of your client’s clinical indemnity insurance and the temporary suspension is no longer in the public interest”.

Ms Canning spoke to Lunchtime with Jonathan Healy today and detailed what led to her losing her indemnity to practice.

She told Jonathan: "I'm reinstated as of yesterday evening, it's a great relief.

"I had 29 clients at the time that were relying on me for care in home birth.

It's also been particularly difficult for the two women at the centre of it whose cases were used for my suspension. I'm pleased especially for them.

"I've always tried throughout my career of being a midwife for 32 years to provide a high standard of care."