Fine Gael's health spokesman named the hospital at the centre of the allegations about unnecessary hysterectomies being carried out on a number of women.

Mr Alan Shatter identified Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, in the Northern Eastern Health Board area, as the hospital about which the allegations emerged in The Irish Times.

The Fine Gael spokesman asked if the Government had made a decision regarding the holding of an independent investigation into the circumstances at the hospital, which resulted in a number of women having Caesarean hysterectomies. The Leas-Cheann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon, ruled the issue out of order and said it would be raised on the adjournment of the House.

Earlier Fine Gael's deputy leader, Mrs Nora Owen, asked when the Medical Practitioners' Amendment Bill would be published. She said the legislation was urgently required given "the very disturbing information about nine women who had hysterectomies carried out which did not appear to be necessary".

She also referred to the appointment of a doctor to a Cork hospital, who had a conviction related to child pornography. The legislation was needed to prevent issues like these arising again.

The Tanaiste, Ms Harney, said she shared the deputy's concern. Legislation would be published towards the middle of next year.