Proposed Legislation.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 May 2006

Tuesday, 16 May 2006

Questions (90, 91, 92, 93)

Seán Ryan

Question:

142 Mr. S. Ryan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason she has not implemented her promise given to the Irish Haemophilia Society to introduce the necessary legislation to provide an insurance scheme for persons infected with HIV or Hepatitis C, through provision of contaminated blood or blood products by the State; if the heads of the Bill have come before the Government; and when the Bill will be published and brought to Dáil Éireann or Seanad Éireann for Second Stage debate. [17854/06]

Joe Costello

Question:

152 Mr. Costello asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will provide a statutory insurance scheme for persons infected by contaminated blood products due to State negligence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17929/06]

Finian McGrath

Question:

154 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason there is a nine year delay on implementation of an insurance scheme for persons infected with HIV or Hepatitis C through provision of contaminated blood or blood products by the State. [17942/06]

Michael Noonan

Question:

161 Mr. Noonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when a scheme will be put in place to enable persons infected with HIV or Hepatitis C through the provision of contaminated blood or blood products to take out insurance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18025/06]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children (Ms Harney)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 142, 152, 154 and 161 together.

I wish to assure the Deputies that I am committed to ensuring that an insurance scheme for persons infected with Hepatitis C and HIV through the administration of blood and blood products within the State is established on a statutory basis as soon as possible. The legislation is included as a priority in the Government's Legislative Programme for the current session and it is my firm intention that the enabling legislation will be enacted before the Summer recess.

The process of drafting the legislation, which is both complex and innovative, is almost complete. As soon as I receive the final agreed text from my legal advisors I will submit it to the Government for approval and will publish it as soon as Government approval is received.