Vol. 543 No. 5
277 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has satisfied himself that the Irish Medicines Board has the necessary resources to implement a new EU directive on the quality of human blood products. [27428/01]
In my parliamentary reply to the Deputy on the 23 October 2001, I advised that detailed discussions are taking place at present involving the Irish Medicines Board, IMB, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, IBTS, and my Department concerning the implications, including resources, of the proposed new directive of the European Parliament and of the Council. The draft directive is about setting EU standards of quality of safety for the collection, testing, processing, storage and distribution of blood and blood components. It is an important EU initiative which is supported by the IMB, IBTS and my Department. Resources necessary to implement the provisions of the directive will be made available. The proposed new directive is a major item for discussion at the Council of Health Ministers meeting on 15 November 2001. It is not anticipated that the directive will be in force before the end of 2002.
