Bernard Allen
Ceist:60 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will establish a tribunal of inquiry into the activities of certain pharmaceutical companies in relation to the spread of hepatitis C. [5839/02]
Written Answers. - Infectious Diseases.
On 7 November 2001, I appointed Mr. Paul Gardiner, senior counsel, to produce a situation report about the position in Ireland and in the United States in respect of 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 has liaised with the solicitors acting for the Irish Haemophilia Society. Mr. Gardiner travelled to the United States before Christmas and has spoken to a number of relevant experts, including the lead counsel in the HIV haemophiliac litigation in the United States.
Mr. Gardiner has briefed a major New York law firm, Simpson, Thacher and Bartlett, to advise him in relation to the matters relevant to his investigations, and to independently review the legal advice already received on those matters by both the Irish Haemophilia Society and myself.
Mr. Gardiner anticipates that he will be in a position to present his report to me shortly. I will then present the report to Government for consideration.