The Minister for Health has said he is concerned at a further breach in the security of hospital patient records following the discovery of patient notes in a refuse sack in Ballina in Co Mayo.
Records with patient information from Ballina District Hospital have been discovered in a refuse bag in the town centre.
The Health Service Executive said the information contained in the notes was minimal and consisted of a daily list of patients at the hospital, together with some additional handwritten notes taken by staff members to assist in the process of handover between shifts.
The Executive said it had written to those affected and apologised for any upset caused.
Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary said people are horrified at the discovery once again of medical records being disposed of inappropriately.
The HSE and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner have both launched investigations into the incident.
