Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I move: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

The Government acknowledges in the strongest possible terms that the infection of people with contaminated blood products was catastrophic for them and their families. While no monetary support or compensation can repair the damage done, Ireland is doing more for victims compared with other countries in similar circumstances. I am delighted this is the case.

For many years, people infected with hepatitis C have made the reasonable case for a method of addressing the insurance difficulties which they and their spouses face. No particular solution to these difficulties was readily apparent. While it was relatively easy to find precedents for monetary compensation schemes, nowhere in the world was there a scheme to address the insurance difficulties of this nature. As far as I am aware this remains the position.

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