John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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Question 211: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when the draft of the proposed Insurance Bill in relation to those infected with Hepatitis C or HIV through contaminated blood or blood products by the State will be released; the reason for the delay in enacting this legislation; the further reason a meeting between her Department and a group (details supplied) scheduled for 11 May 2006 did not take place; the reason no alternative date was fixed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20557/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The process of drafting the legislation to establish the insurance scheme, 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. 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. In relation to the enquiry from the Deputy regarding the meeting on 11th May, the meeting was postponed because I did not have the final text of the legislation at that point but I have assured the representative groups that I will set a date to meet them as soon as I have the final text.