Bernard Allen
Question:223 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will give assurances that no 3M health care hip replacements were used in Irish hospitals from 1 August 1991 to 31 March 1997, in view of the fact that the British Department of Health is issuing new advice stating that these implants have poor short-term performance and that some people who had these prosthesis fitted may need to have the prosthesis removed and another one inserted. [5010/98]