Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Friday, 19 Apr 2002

Vol. 169 No. 20

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill, 2002: Committee and Remaining Stages.

Sections 1 to 3, inclusive, agreed to.

SECTION 4.

Question proposed: "That section 4 stand part of the Bill."

Dr. Henry

I wish to say something cheerful about this section, having reminded people of how easy it would be for a similar situation to occur if we did not invest time, people and money in this area.

This section provides that children diagnosed HIV positive because their mother was infected by someone or some blood product are to be compensated. We were probably the first country in Europe to have universal testing of pregnant women and as a result we have not had one single case of vertical transmission of HIV infection in the last three years. That is quite astonishing, given that some women who enter this country pregnant have not received any antenatal care.

Testing in this area is so good that I can almost swear we have not had one case of vertical transmission in the last three years. I thank the former Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Cowen, for its introduction. Colleagues of mine working in this area raised with the Minister the issue of introducing universal testing. Within about two weeks he decided it was to be introduced and it was. It has been of huge benefit and it means that at least one group of people is being dealt with very well in the medical system.

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Ms Hanafin)

I accept the Senator's comments.

Question put and agreed to.

SECTION 5.

Question proposed: "That section 5 stand part of the Bill."

Ms Hanafin

In accordance with Standing Order 121 of Seanad Eireann, I wish to make a correction of a formal nature to the Bill. The correction required is the insertion of a comma in page 8, line 55, after the word "person".

Question put and agreed to.

Sections 6 to 11, inclusive, agreed to.

Title agreed to.

Bill reported without amendment and received for final consideration.

Question proposed: "That the Bill do now pass."

Dr. Henry

I congratulate the Minister of State on bringing this important and compassionate Bill through the House so efficiently. I am sure she will convey our remarks to the Minister, Deputy Martin, and his officials who put much work into bringing the Bill forward.

Mr. J. Doyle

Having moved a motion on this matter in 1989, I am glad, as my political career comes to an end, that I am in the Houses of the Oireachtas to see the Bill pass its Final Stages. It will give recompense to these people who are so badly in need of it.

Mr. Moylan

I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Hanafin, the Minister, Deputy Martin, and the officials for their wonderful work on this Bill. I hope it will help in some small way those infected with the diseases. As Senator Quill said, unfortunately, people were in the wrong place at the wrong time. We welcome the Bill and thank all those involved in introducing it.

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Ms Hanafin)

I thank Senators for their contributions. It is always useful to come to the Seanad to hear different perspectives. From a political point of view, it is important for Senator Doyle to see the Bill reach this stage. From a medical perspective, Senator Henry and those who take a personal interest in these issues will be pleased. Getting the Bill to this stage today obviously involved a great deal of work. I wish to put on record the Minister's appreciation of the Attorney General's office, the Department of Health and Children and the Irish Haemophilia Society for the extraordinary work which went into bringing this element of this episode to a conclusion today.

Question put and agreed to.

An Leas-Chathaoirleach

When is it proposed to sit again?

Mr. Moylan

Next Wednesday, 24 April at 2.30 p.m.