Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, the officials, the Clerk, the Seanad staff and all involved in the passing of this legislation on all sides of the House. I compliment the four groups concerned on their efforts and communications with all sides of both Houses. This is a very important piece of legislation that gives recognition to the plight of people cast in a scenario where the cure was worse than the disease. Whatever we do cannot compensate for this.

One of the curses of being human is that we feel so helpless at times in addressing situations such as this. However, I believe that this Bill will help people who heretofore could not get insurance at all or could not do so without paying prohibitive premiums. I believe this is a step in the right direction. We must deal with the realities of life. We are discussing human beings, irrespective of status, who have been affected in a particular way. Hepatitis C and related conditions are terrible. When a person goes to hospital to receive a blood transfusion, that person believes it will be beneficial in dealing with his or her complaint. This turned out not to be the case for a number of people.

As the Tánaiste rightly said, nothing can compensate people for what has happened. I am glad this Bill will be passed, it is another step in the right direction. I hope in the near future other legislation may be enacted to alleviate further, in a small way, the plight of the people concerned.