Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

The proposal is that the Dáil shall sit tomorrow to deal with the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006. What has transpired here is a massive political own goal of gargantuan proportions which shows absolute insensitivity by the Government in respect of approximately 100 women in whose cases the virus may have been cleared but in whom the impact and effect of hepatitis may now just be becoming evident. These women were given to understand that the issue of compensation for medical care and insurance would be dealt with in their interests and that, specifically in the area of insurance, they would not lose benefits while this matter was being dealt with.

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