Women in Ireland who received breast implants made by a Brazilian manufacturer are being warned that use of the product has been suspended in the EU.

A French appeals court has ruled that a German company does not have to compensate more than 1,000 women with leak-prone breast implants, overturning a lower court decision.

The Government plans to prevent a repeat of the PIP breast implant fiasco, signalling Hiqa will get new powers to inspect private hospitals and certain cosmetic surgery procedures.

Irish victims of the PIP breast implants scandal have until March 20 next to make a claim for compensation.