Bernard Allen
Question:586 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has had discussions with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service regarding the investigation of a person (details supplied). [1356/01]
Vol. 529 No. 1
586 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has had discussions with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service regarding the investigation of a person (details supplied). [1356/01]
On 12 December, I met the chairman, chief executive officer and national medical director of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, IBTS, for a briefing on emerging strategies to further minimise the possible risk of transmission of vCJD by blood transfusion. Before this meeting the chairman spoke to me and advised me that at its meeting on 8 November 2000, the board of the IBTS decided to commission an independent investigation in relation to the person referred to by the Deputy. I was informed that the proposed investigation relates to allegations of ongoing undermining of the position of the chairman, the board, the chief executive officer and the national medical director of such seriousness as to threaten the proper conduct of the IBTS's business, failure to observe normal employment protocol in observing appropriate reporting relationships and breach of expressed and implied terms of contract. The chairman told me that the person concerned had declined to participate in the above process and that she proposed to raise this matter at the board meeting scheduled for 13 December. I have no further information in relation to the current position on this matter. As this is an internal human resource issue which is the responsibility of the IBTS, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further.