I glossed over recommendation six, which concerned the records of the National Centre. We will agree with that and we will keep the Irish Haemophilia Society informed.
The seventh recommendation by Ms Justice Lindsay addresses an area of great concern. "Doctors should ensure that test results in relation to patients are given to them as soon as such results become available, unless there is compelling medical reason to the contrary, and that appropriate support and counselling is available." In order to ensure that every effort has been made to identify, contact and offer hepatitis and HIV screening to any recipient of a blood product that may have been infected, the health boards, in conjunction with the National Centre and the IBTS and with the support of the Irish Haemophilia Society, will undertake another examination of hospital records.
The consultation process with clinicians involved in the management of haemophilia has commenced. Discussions have also been initiated with the Irish Haematology Society, to which the consultants are affiliated. In the short-term, however, all health boards have nominated a consultant haematologist or equivalent to assist in carrying out another examination of all hospital records to ensure that anyone who may have been exposed to potentially infected blood products and who may still be unaware of the risks from such exposure is contacted and invited for hepatitis or HIV testing. Appropriate counselling and supports will be available to anyone who may be identified in this examination.
The final recommendation refers to procedures to be followed in relation to any new tests. The tribunal report says: "The Irish Blood Transfusion Service should establish protocols to ensure that, with any future new tests for infective agents, positive test results are communicated to the relevant donor as soon as possible, referral is made to counselling services, and look back procedures are put in place." These protocols are currently in place at the IBTS and will continue to be followed in the future whenever any new tests are introduced.
As I have outlined, the Government is fully committed to implementing the recommendations of the report in partnership with the Irish Haemophilia Society and the other stakeholders. I have already mentioned that discussions have commenced between the IHS and my Department in this regard. I hope the implementation of the report will mark a new way forward which will allow all those with an interest in the care and treatment of persons with haemophilia, together with haemophiliacs themselves, to play their part in what must be, from here on, a collaborative and inclusive process.
I have already described how the principle of patient advocacy and consumer input already works particularly well in the Consultative Council on Hepatitis C. The four main patient support groups – Positive Action, Transfusion Positive, the Irish Kidney Association and the Irish Haemophilia Society – perform a vital role as advocates for their members and are represented on the consultative council. As well as this, regular meetings are held at national level between the support groups, service providers and the Department in order to monitor services and identify emerging needs on an ongoing basis. Hepatitis C liaison officers in each health board co-ordinate primary care services and provide a contact point for hepatitis C patients and the four support groups. Relationships are also being developed at regional as well as national level. The support groups also meet individual hospitals and consultants to discuss specific issues of concern to their members. In addition, the effective working relationship between the National Centre and the Irish Haemophilia Society has already been referred to.
The Government particularly appreciates the efforts of the Irish Haemophilia Society to enter into a meaningful dialogue on the future direction of the haemophilia services. The society, as recognised in the tribunal report, has played a seminal part in representing their members' best interests at all times. The Department provides funding on an ongoing basis to the IHS in respect of support services for its members and similarly funds the other support groups representing persons with hepatitis C. Over the past five years my Department, through the Eastern Regional Health Authority, has provided cumulative funding of more than €1 million to the society. It has asked me to consider increasing this funding and I am committed to providing a substantial increase in funding for next year. Officials from my Department will discuss with the society the best way in which to target this additional funding.
As well as funding for the support groups, the provision of targeted funding for the development of primary care and hospital services has also been recognised by the support groups as being an important element in the overall model of services for persons with hepatitis C. My Department, and successive Ministers for Health, have reiterated the commitment to provide sufficient funding for the continued development of services for persons with hepatitis C and HIV. The Consultative Council on Hepatitis C and the support groups are agreed that funding to date has been satisfactory and look forward to the continued provision of funding at a level sufficient to maintain and develop services which are responsive to emerging needs.
In her report, Ms Justice Lindsay said it was inappropriate to make any comment in relation to the possibility of a future tribunal of inquiry into the actions of certain pharmaceutical companies, since I had commissioned and obtained independent advice on the matter. As the tribunal is an independent entity, its conclusions in this regard must be respected. Ms Justice Lindsay's findings in this matter were made in accordance with her statutory terms of reference, which were agreed after long and careful consideration.
On 7 November 2001 I appointed Mr. Paul Gardiner, Senior Counsel, to advise me on a possible investigation into the actions of the multinational pharmaceutical companies whose products are implicated in the HIV and hepatitis C infection of persons with haemophilia. As part of his investigations Mr. Gardiner liaised with the solicitors acting for the Irish Haemophilia Society. He travelled to the United States and spoke to a number of relevant experts, including the lead counsel in HIV-haemophilia litigation in the United States. Mr. Gardiner also received legal advice from a major New York law firm in relation to the matters relevant to his investigations. I have had full consultations with Mr. Gardiner and, subject to further discussion with the Attorney General, I believe it would be possible to mount a useful investigation which would allow access to publicly available material and to persons and bodies willing to co-operate. I am in consultation with the Attorney General and all other parties, including the Irish Haemophilia Society, on an effective template, and I will return to all concerned parties with proposals.
I know I have the full support of the House in reiterating that while we acknowledge the mistakes of the past, there is an ongoing need to protect and maintain the national blood supply. To ensure that blood is available whenever and wherever needed, it is imperative that donors are encouraged to give blood, and to continue to do so on a regular basis. This year, despite all the adverse publicity, the level of donations has been very high and I commend those who have demonstrated true generosity of spirit by taking time out of their busy schedules to think of the needs of others. However, because of the short shelf life of blood and blood products and the seasonal variations in donation patterns, it is essential that people continue to donate blood regularly.
It was the Government's priority that this motion was brought before the House as soon as possible, and it will be our priority to implement its recommendations. I am sure I speak for everyone in the House in expressing our sorrow at the suffering that people with haemophilia have endured and resolving that a similar tragedy will never happen again.