The Taoiseach says an expert group will examine whether or not unclaimed blood samples from heel prick tests on babies should be retained or not.

In the meantime the Minister for Health James Reilly has instructed the Health Service Executive (HSE) not to destroy the one million blood samples. They were due to be destroyed at the end of the month because of data protection concerns.

The heel-prick tests were taken from all babies born between 1984 and 2002. The Irish Heart Foundation and health professionals had urged Minister Reilly to intervene saying the DNA database was priceless.

Speaking on his way into Government Buildings this morning the Taoiseach Enda Kenny said the tests could have real value in the future as a result of changes in technology and medical science.