Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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Question 169: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will ensure that a meeting scheduled for 11 May 2006 with a group (details supplied) will be re-arranged at the earliest convenience in order to resolve the implementation of an insurance scheme for persons who contracted hepatitis C from contaminated blood products. [19077/06]

Pat Carey (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)
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Question 192: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reasons for the delay in enacting an insurance scheme for persons infected with hepatitis C through contaminated blood and blood products; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19300/06]

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 204: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position in relation to the nine year delay on implementation of an insurance scheme for persons infected with hepatitis C or HIV through provision of contaminated blood or blood products by the State; if same will be enacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19455/06]

Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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Question 210: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will seek the prompt enactment of legislation to implement an insurance scheme for persons infected with hepatitis C or HIV through provision of contaminated blood or blood products by the State. [19486/06]

Michael Noonan (Limerick East, Fine Gael)
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Question 219: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, in the context of her reply to Parliamentary Question Nos. 142, 152, 154 and 161 of 16 May 2006, discussions and negotiations will continue with the Irish Haemophilia Society and other analogous organisations until the draft of the proposed legislation is agreed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19495/06]

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 242: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals to introduce an appropriate insurance scheme for persons infected with hepatitis C or HIV through provision of contaminated blood or blood products by the State (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19671/06]

Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 245: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when an insurance scheme for persons infected with HIV or hepatitis C through provision of contaminated blood or blood products by the State will be implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19767/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 169, 192, 204, 210, 219, 242 and 245 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.

In relation to the enquiries from the Deputies regarding further meetings, I will set a date to meet the representative groups as soon as I have the final text of the legislation.