Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

The case in question is sad and sensitive and involves a 24 year old man who has been diagnosed with vCJD and is seriously ill in a Dublin hospital. I have been contacted by the young man's family. While they do not wish themselves or their son to be publicly identified, they have asked me to raise the matter publicly with the Minister for Health and Children because they believe there are aspects of the case which are of public concern.

This young man was diagnosed with vCJD in November 2004. He had lived all his life in Ireland and had never travelled abroad. It is clear, therefore, that he contracted the disease here, which raises questions about the adequacy of the safeguards in place to prevent vCJD arising in Ireland. The family of the victim have drawn my attention to the Southwood report published in the UK in 1990 which led to the implementation of a range of preventative measures there. The measures included the establishment of a national vCJD surveillance unit and joint interdepartmental committee to provide independent advice, the banning of mechanically recovered meat and meat and bonemeal and the destruction of surgical instruments used on vCJD patients. A range of other measures to protect blood supplies was also implemented. In addition, the UK Government has provided funding for research for a test to detect the disease at the incubation stage.

The Minister for Health and Children should make a statement on the measures which have been put in place in Ireland to prevent vCJD and, specifically, state when such measures were implemented and explain how they are monitored. The family want to know how their son came to develop vCJD in Ireland, given that he had never travelled abroad, and they are entitled to an explanation. The UK Government established a compensation fund for victims of vCJD and their families. While the House will appreciate that the family's concern at this time is for their son, the Tánaiste should nevertheless consider the UK fund and state whether it is intended to introduce a similar measure here.

I have on a confidential basis supplied the Tánaiste with the details of the case to enable her to respond fully. I hope the Minister of State will be able to respond on the Adjournment in the positive and sympathetic manner the matter demands.

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