Vol. 477 No. 7
70 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons (details supplied) who contracted hepatitis C and whose cases are ready for hearing before the compensation tribunal have been informed that their cases will not be heard for at least two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10253/97]
Limerick East): I understand from the compensation tribunal that hearing dates have been allocated to the end of 1997. There are 500 cases on the waiting list and I am currently considering a number of measures to reduce the waiting period.
71 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Health the reasons for the strategy pursued by the Government in the case of the late Mrs. McCole. [10280/97]
Limerick East): During a number of debates and question and answer sessions in this House in October last I dealt extensively with matters raised by Members in connection with the case brought by the late Mrs. McCole.
In particular I refer the Deputy to the following Dáil debates:
Statements; Official Report of 3 October 1996, Vol. 496, cols. 1391 — 1413, hepatitis C legal strategy.
Action; Official Report of 8 October 1996, Vol. 469, cols 1631 — 1674, hepatitis C infection.
Motion; Official Report of 9 October 1996, Vol. 469, cols 1953 — 2002, hepatitis C infection.
Motion; Official Report of 16 October 1996, Vol. 470, cols. 424 - 471 hepatitis C infection.
Statements. Official Report of 17 October 1996, Vol. 470, cols. 515—559 tribunal of inquiry into hepatitis C infection.
72 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Health if, in the interests of openness and transparency, he will lay before Dáil Éireann all papers that came before the Government in relation to the McCole case. [10283/97]
73 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he will lay before Dáil Éireann any correspondence on the McCole case between the Government, the Blood Transfusion Service Board and the National Drugs Advisory Board. [10284/97]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.
The documents which were forwarded to Government in relation to the McCole case contain certain legal advice and are, therefore, privileged in law. Such legal advice is also relevant to other similar legal cases which have been initiated and are ongoing.
There is no correspondence between the Government and the BTSB or the NDAB on the McCole case.
74 Mr. Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he authorised the offer of settlement which was made to a person (details supplied) in the hours just before her death. [10286/97]
Limerick East): I was not consulted by the BTSB on the settlement in advance of it being made.
