Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Yesterday, the national newspapers carried an advertisement placed by the Irish Haemophilia Society, the Irish Kidney Association, Positive Action and Transfusion Positive, highlighting how the insurance scheme for people infected with hepatitis C and HIV through contaminated blood products is not operating properly. The commencement order for the scheme was signed by the Minister for Health and Children on 12 September 2007. However, these groups report that the operation of the scheme is on a restricted basis only due to the rigours applied by the HSE. Given that these organisations represent people who have suffered as a result of State failure, neglect and worse — some of them fatally — can we now expect legislation to amend the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Act 2006, the flaws in which many Members pointed out at the time, or will a new order in regard to the rules and regulations of the scheme be introduced to address——

See this speech in context