A LONDON-based law firm has been engaged by the Government to investigate the role played by US-based pharmaceutical firms in the blood contamination scandal.

A BLUEPRINT for a new type of statutory inquiry will be presented to the Cabinet for approval by Justice Minister, Michael McDowell.

HEALTH Minister Micheál Martin may ask the High Court to appoint an inspector to investigate the role of international drug companies in supplying contaminated blood to Irish haemophiliacs.