The Eastern Regional Health Authority has asked all publicly-funded acute hospitals in the eastern region to confirm their arrangements for disposal of waste following the discovery of hospital material dumped in Co Wicklow yesterday.
The ERHA has set up an inquiry to ascertain the source of the waste but it is currently understood that the waste came from hospitals outside their authority.
The discovery of the waste, which included syringes, blood-stained swabs and bandages, and other used surgical matter, was made in the Wicklow mountains at the Glen of Imaal.
Hospital records and other medical-related correspondence was also discovered. The origin of the dumped material has not been confirmed.
Wicklow County Council have launched an investigation into the discovery. Criminal prosecutions should follow the outcome of the inquiry, according to local Fianna Fáil TD Mr Dick Walsh.
"Clearly those responsible have behaved recklessly. Clearly they have no regard for public health or the laws of this land and the time has come for those responsible to made an example of," he said.
Ms Deirdre Clune of Fine Gael described the news as shocking and called on the Department of the Environment to investigate the discoveries.
"So far the this Government has shown a total lack of commitment to the EPA’s plan for dealing with hazardous wastes," Ms Clune said.
Labour Party Health spokeswoman Ms Liz McManus also called for an investigation and called on the Minister for Health to make a statement on the current regulations on the disposal of medical waste.
"This case is particularly serious as it involves medical waste that is, of its nature, often potentially hazardous," Ms McManus said.