The HSE is to allow partners of pregnant women attend their 20 week pregnancy scan. They will also be allowed to attend surgical interventions.
It follows a campaign by a large number of women and their partners over the restrictions, which had been in place due to Covid-19.
A petition with more than 52,000 signatures calling for all maternity hospitals to allow partners to attend appointments and scans, as well as for the full duration of labour, was handed into Cork University Maternity Hospital last week.
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín previously described the situation as "inhumane". The Meath West TD said: "No woman should have to face scans or labour alone."
Mr Tóibín had heard "heartbreaking" stories where women have received sad news and are left "without a hand to hold or a shoulder to cry on. Frankly the situation is inhumane, and some have described the experience as cold".
In a statement tonight, he called on the Government to ease restrictions around maternity services after receiving "harrowing" documents under the Freedom of Information Act.
"During a six-week period over 170 emails were sent to the Minister for Health, the majority of them from women outlining their shocking experiences in maternity hospitals as a result of the Covid-19 restrictions.
"We must remember that one in four pregnancies ends in miscarriage in this country. No woman should be left to face this bad news alone, in a hospital corridor without a partner to support her," Mr Tóibín said.
Last month, Labour leader Alan Kelly called on the Government to consider modifying the restrictions on partners not being allowed to accompany or visit expectant mothers during and after pregnancy.
Earlier today, the extension of paid parent's leave from two to five weeks for each parent was approved by the Cabinet.
