Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 7

Written Answers. - Implant Operations.

Noel Ahern

Question:

158 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Health the number of implant operations and procedures which have been carried out nationwide in the past five and ten years; the number of complaints or claims arising from these operations; if his attention has been drawn to claims on a wide scale in the United States of America and other countries in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8301/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): As the Deputy will appreciate, the information sought is not routinely collected and it will take some time for the agencies involved to examine their records and collate the necessary data. I will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as it is available to me.

I am aware there have been a large number of claims against silicone breast implant manufacturers in the United States and I understand the manufacturers involved have committed to a global settlement for patients worldwide who believe their health may be affected by the products. While my Department has no formal role in a situation where patients choose to file a claim against the manufacturers, it has been monitoring the situation and providing information to the public in so far as possible.

I am not in a position to comment on the safety of the products concerned except to say that according to the most recent information available to my Department there has been no demonstarted link between silicone breast implants and systemic disease. Patients who undergo breast implant surgery in the public hospital system do so on the basis of fully informed consent and discussion with the practitioner concerned as to the choice of product. My Department will continue to monitor the situation.