Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Mar 1997

Vol. 476 No. 7

Written Answers. - Tribunal of Inquiry into the BTSB.

Noel Dempsey

Question:

148 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for Health if he will have arrangements made to have a number of copies of the transcript of the proceedings of a tribunal (details supplied) made available to interested parties to facilitate them in preparing their cases for the compensation tribunal or for court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8265/97]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The Hepatitis C Tribunal of Inquiry was established under the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) Act, 1921, as adapted by or under subsequent enactments, and the Tribunals of Inquiry (Evidence) (Amendment) Act, 1979. Under the 1921 Act a tribunal “shall not refuse to allow the public or any portion of the public to be present at any of the proceedings of the tribunal unless in the opinion of the tribunal it is in the public interest expedient to do so for reasons connected with the subject matter of the inquiry or the nature of the evidence to be given”. The proceedings of the Hepatitis C Tribunal of Inquiry were at all times open to the public.

The purpose of having a transcript of the proceedings was essentially to assist the tribunal and the various legal representatives to carry out the work of the tribunal of inquiry. However, I am considering the possibility of making a copy of the transcript available to the public. The transcript of each day's hearings amounted to between 150 and 200 pages and the tribunal sat for 25 days.