The inquest into the death of 31-year-old Savita Halappanavar at Galway University Hospital last October resumes in Galway today.

Yesterday, midwife manager, Ann Maria Burke, admitted that she was the person who told Ms Halappanavar that she could not have a termination because ‘Ireland is a Catholic country'. However she insisted that the remark was not meant to be hurtful or offensive.

"It does sound very bad now but at the time I didn't mean it that way," she told the inquest.

She explained that the comment had been made in the context of an informal conversation with Ms Halappanavar, rather than in the context of her medical care.

Ms Burke said she did not think she had come across as insensitive at the time of the comment.

Meanwhile, the inquest also heard from the consultant obstetrician who treated Ms Halappanavar, Dr Katherine Astbury. She admitted that there were systems failures in relation to the treatment of her patient. For example, after Ms Halappanavar's membranes ruptured, her vital signs should have been checked every four hours according to hospital policy. However this was not done.

As expected, Dr Astbury denied making any reference to the Catholic Church in relation to her refusal to carry out a termination. This statement was backed up by a junior doctor who was also present when the issue was discussed with the Halappanavars.

The inquest, which began on Monday and is expected to last around eight days, is taking place in Galway before Galway West coroner, Dr Ciaran McLoughlin.