Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 3

Written Answers. - Hepatitis C Tribunal.

Jack Wall

Question:

77 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason for the delay in setting up a tribunal of inquiry into the infection of haemophiliacs with HIV or hepatitis or both by the transfusion of infected blood products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15910/97]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

The terms of reference for the forthcoming tribunal of inquiry into certain matters relating to the infection of blood and blood products with HIV and hepatitis C are currently being drafted.

I am in touch with the Irish Haemophilia Society and solicitors acting on behalf of the Kilkenny health worker who was infected in 1985 with HIV through a blood transfusion and I expect that their concerns will be addressed in the terms of reference for the tribunal. I hope to be in a position to seek the approval of both Houses of the Oireachtas to the establishment of the tribunal in the near future.