Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 27 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 5

Other Questions. - Tribunals of Inquiry.

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

8 Mr. Broughan asked the Minister for Health and Children when he last met the Irish Haemophilia Society to discuss the terms of reference for the tribunal of inquiry which he announced at the end of February 1999 into the circumstances surrounding the contracting by haemophiliac and other blood product users of the HIV virus; when the terms of reference of the tribunal will be published; when he expects the tribunal will commence hearings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13964/99]

Deirdre Clune

Question:

100 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Health and Children when the terms of reference for the tribunal of inquiry into the circumstances of infection of people with haemophilia with HIV and hepatitis C will be finalised. [14151/99]

Mr. Cowen

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 100 together.

I already provided a full reply on this matter earlier. The Attorney General and I met representatives of the Irish Haemophilia Society and its legal advisers on Friday, 21 May. At that meeting the IHS indicated that it was satisfied the proposed terms of reference comprised all the issues which it wishes to have examined by the tribunal. The IHS also indicated its support for the provision relating to the international aspect of the tribunal.

At its meeting on 25 May, the Government also approved moving the necessary motion in the Dáil and Seanad to establish the tribunal. I will make arrangements to move the motion in both Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible.

Mrs. T. Ahearn

Does the Minister agree that public confidence in blood products has been severely damaged and undermined? Does he propose to take action to restore people's confidence in it? Is the Minister concerned about the low uptake on free HIV screening tests and does he have any proposals to encourage more people to avail of this service?

Mr. Cowen

There is no doubt that events in the BTSB in recent years undermined people's confidence. Many of the recommendations in the Finlay report into hepatitis C contamination are being implemented for the purpose of restoring that confidence. I assure the Deputy that significant funds and resources are being allocated to ensure that the BTSB reaches the highest standard in terms of best practice in this area. That development is in the best interests of the health service in general as well as those of the BTSB.

Testing and screening programmes are ongoing. The BTSB has been advertising in foreign journals and newspapers to ensure that the greatest amount of information possible is made available to the cohort of people it is trying to encourage to come forward for testing, not only those living in Ireland but also to those who migrated or emigrated since the contamination phase. These people must be notified and encouraged to submit to whatever screening or testing is appropriate to their circumstances.

Mrs. T. Ahearn

What percentage of blood products are imported? What process is used to guarantee the quality of such products?

Mr. Cowen

I am not in a position to state the percentage involved. Many blood products are provided by the BTSB but a number of synthetic blood products are imported from abroad because of their specialist nature. For example, those required to treat haemophilia are quite expensive but the Finlay report recommended that they be made available. I have made these products available at a cost of millions of pounds per year.