Women fitted with faulty silicone breast implants who need them removed will have the cost covered by the State.

A cosmetic surgery firm that fitted 1,100 Irish women with below-grade silicone breast implants, generated millions in revenues from surgeries in the three years to the end of 2010, new figures show.

There was growing pressure on the Harley Medical Group last night to agree a deal on the removal and replacement of PIP breast implants from the 1,100 women affected by the defective products.

Representatives from the PIP Action Group say they have had a "very positive" meeting with the state's Chief Medical Officer Dr Tony Holohan.

Pregnant women are living with the nightmare of being unable to remove their ruptured breast implants, which are leaking industrial grade silicone, until their babies are born.