Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

As a result of the High Court case, it is a fact that the tribunal must take into account the court's adjudication on applications that have come before it. There is another court case coming later this year where compensation was refused by the tribunal or it was not sufficient. The tribunal's decision is being appealed and the tribunal is obliged to take on board the decision of the court. Symptoms resembling those of hepatitis C can also indicate some other illness. That is why we need to have clarity. The fact that a claimant had blood administered to them and the say-so of a doctor is not a good enough reason to grant compensation.

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