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Vaccination Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 May 2018

Tuesday, 22 May 2018

Ceisteanna (395)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

395. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if officials of his Department have met officials of the State Claims Agency to discuss and request the possibility of a non-adversarial approach to dealing with the 65 pending civil actions in the courts from persons who received the Pandemrix swine influenza vaccine in 2010 and since that have been suffering from narcolepsy and other side effects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22368/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I cannot comment on individual cases or matters that are the subject of litigation but I can provide background information on this litigation and clarify matters that are already in the public domain.

As of 9 May 2018, legal proceedings against the Minister, the Health Services Executive and GlaxoSmithKline Biological SA have been initiated by seventy individuals.  The plaintiffs allege personal injury in which they claim the development of narcolepsy resulted from the administration of the H1N1 pandemic vaccine.  The management of the cases transferred to the State Claims Agency (SCA) on 15 October 2013 when the Taoiseach signed the National Treasury Management Agency (Delegation of Claims Management Functions) (Amendment) Order 2013.  This reflects the greater experience and expertise that the State Claims Agency has in the area of medical litigation.  

I have been informed by the Agency that the cases are before the courts in relation to the management of discovery in the lead case.  It would not be appropriate to interfere in the courts case management of these claims.

I am continuing to engage with the Minister for Justice and the Minister for Finance on what further improvements can be made to the legal framework governing the management of medical negligence cases.

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