Gay Mitchell (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 154: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on the concerns of the Irish Haemophilia Society in regard to the nine year delay in implementation of an insurance scheme for persons infected with HIV or Hepatitis C through provision of contaminated blood or blood products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18627/06]

Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 171: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if her attention has been drawn to the fact that commitments in relation to the introduction of an insurance scheme for persons infected with HIV or Hepatitis C have been long delayed; and if a timetable will be set for the necessary enactments to introduce such a scheme. [18734/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 171 together.

I wish to assure the Deputies that I am committed to ensuring that an insurance scheme for persons infected with Hepatitis C and HIV through the administration of blood and blood products within the State is established on a statutory basis as soon as possible. The legislation is included as a priority in the Government's Legislative Programme for the current session and it is my firm intention that the enabling legislation will be enacted before the summer recess.

The process of drafting the legislation, which is both complex and innovative, is almost complete. As soon as I receive the final agreed text from my legal advisors I will submit it to the Government for approval and will publish it as soon as Government approval is received.