Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 2:

In page 4, line 30, to delete "by substituting" and substitute the following:

"by—

(a) inserting the following after paragraph (a):

"(b) a person who

(i) has been diagnosed by a consultant hepatologist and adjudged by him or her to most likely have Hepatitis C, and

(ii) has no risk factor that would indicate a risk of contraction of Hepatitis C other than the receipt of contaminated blood products," and

(b) substituting".

Section 2 relates to eligibility for compensation in respect of loss of consortium. Fine Gael is concerned that people entering into new relationships would not be covered under the proposals and we seek to address that by amendment. If a person who has contracted hepatitis C through contaminated blood products goes into a new relationship, he or she will not be covered by the legislation. We take the view that this is unfair on them.