John Dennehy (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 192: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to whether the Blood Transfusion Service Board intends to replace the services building in Cork, which the Blood Transfusion Services Board and the Department of Health and Children agreed in November 1997 needed replacement; if she is satisfied that the existing facility meets all of the requirements of standards set by the Irish Medicines Board and monitored by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8937/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Irish Medicines Board, IMB, conducts twice yearly inspections of all IBTS facilities in line with the recommendations of the Finlay tribunal report of 1997. The IMB was also designated by me during 2005 as the regulatory authority for blood establishments and hospital blood banks under the EU Directive on Blood Quality and Safety.

In 2004, the IBTS invested more than €3 million in the refurbishment of its Cork centre to ensure compliance with good manufacturing practice, GMP, standards. Whilst I am informed that this has met the immediate requirements of the regulator, the IMB has stated in its annual report for 2004 that the replacement of the Cork centre with a purpose-built facility will be necessary to achieve and maintain full GMP compliance in the medium to long term.

There is provision in the capital investment framework 2005-09 for the appointment of a design team and commencement of the planning process for the new centre. This project is the subject of ongoing consultations between the IBTS and the Department.