Vol. 440 No. 1
164 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health whether he has received reports from the health boards concerning allegations that a higher than average number of babies born in the State have limb deformities; the content of such reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I presume the Deputy is referring to statements reported in the media in December of last year which alleged a higher than usual number of limb deformities among children born in Wicklow and Cork. As stated in an adjournment debate on this subject on 9 December last, my Department had not had any such reports from the health boards. However, the Eastern and Southern health boards were asked to investigate these statements further and report to me. Reports received from these health boards indicate that studies to date do not show an exceptional incidence of limb defects.
