Results 1,741-1,760 of 16,537 for speaker:Brian Lenihan Jnr

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The transfusion board is in surplus at present so there is no cut-back here.

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will deal with the matter in due course.

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Regarding the reassurance programme mentioned by Deputy O'Sullivan, it was originally funded at a time when the Irish Blood Transfusion Service was in deficit. The board has subsequently been in surplus and has met the costs from its own resources. While in public financial terms it may appear the Health Service Executive, HSE, is no longer funding the programme it has had no effect on the...

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: That is a play on words. The programme is being delivered.

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The reason the HSE is no longer providing the funds is they are provided by the blood bank from its profits. To suggest there has somehow been a cutback in the services that are rightly provided, in terms of the reassurance people need, is simply not correct. There has been no cutback in services; there is an allocation of resources from a different source. We all acknowledge the pain and...

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will deal with that in a moment. Claimants may appeal their awards to the High Court. Infected persons, their spouses, partners and next of kin have been presenting claims to the tribunal since its establishment. The total cost of the tribunal to the end of 2005 is more than €660 million which includes legal costs, fees and administration costs. The actual amount of awards is €580...

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The number of claims is far more substantial. There have been around 2,200 awards and the total cost of the tribunal has been more than €660 million. The actual amount of awards is almost €580 million. That has been provided by the Exchequer.

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The State has a proud record on this issue under this Government. The second prong in providing support to infected persons is the Health (Amendment) Act card, which entitled the holder to a range of health care services free of charge. I will not take the House through all of the details relating to the card, but health care costs under the Health (Amendment) Act are approximately €15...

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: I will deal with that matter. I am entitled to speak without interruption.

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: This Government has a very good record in this area and I will deal with the issue of compensation. The National Haemophilia Council was set up under statute in 2004. It is chaired by Professor John Bonnar and includes clinicians, nurses, representatives of the Irish Haemophilia Society and health service officials, who work together to advise the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and...

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——but it cannot be conclusive for evidential purposes.

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It was suggested in the House that clinical diagnosis is not being taken into account.

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: On the contrary, clinical diagnosis——

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: If I could continue, please. Clinical diagnosis will continue to be taken into account but it cannot be conclusive for evidential purposes.

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: All diagnosis is based on the concept of testing. All diagnosis involves the application of some objective test to——

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: It involves the examination of the symptoms and the application of tests on the patient showing the symptoms. In this legislation the Minister has prescribed a test, one which is internationally accepted. It is a test which has not caused dispute in other jurisdictions.

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: The Minister has agreed to table further amendments to permit the application of other tests in case there would be concern——

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Clinical diagnosis is based on the application of a test and this is the point——

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: Yes, but all clinical diagnosis has to rely on a test. It cannot be just plucked out of the air on the basis of the history——

Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006: Second Stage (Resumed). (29 Jun 2006)

Brian Lenihan Jnr: ——or the symptoms of a particular patient.