Reilly: HIV tribunal needs ‘fresh blood’

Health Minister James Reilly was embroiled in controversy yesterday after people infected with hepatitis C and HIV via contaminated blood products demanded he apologise for “gravely offensive” remarks.

Support groups for sufferers expressed outrage after Dr Reilly said a major clear-out of the tribunal handling compensation claims was necessary because “fresh blood” was needed.

Mr Reilly’s choice of words was condemned by Detta Warnock of Positive Action, a group for women who were infected with hepatitis C after giving birth.

“Does he not realise what he is dealing with here?” said Ms Warnock. “These are people’s lives — people are dying. And he has the cheek to refer to fresh blood? He is a doctor, he should have more cop-on.

“Has he any ‘fresh blood’ for us? His choice of words is absolutely deplorable and gravely offensive.”

An apology was also demanded by the chairwoman of Transfusion Positive, Maura Long, who described Mr Reilly’s remarks as “insensitive and inappropriate”, and called on him to withdraw them.

Mr Reilly sparked the outrage after the Irish Examiner revealed up to 13 of the 15 members of the €2.2bn hepatitis C/HIV tribunal were being replaced at a likely cost to the taxpayer of €130,000 in “golden hello” signing-on fees.

“Some members on that tribunal are there 16 years,” said Dr Reilly. “Time does move on and I think it is only appropriate that we would have some fresh blood.”

The Department of Health has denied that the sweep-out of the tribunal board is being done for party political reasons.

Opposition parties have expressed concern at Dr Reilly’s handling of the tribunal, which has so far paid compensation to more than 3,200 people, with another 800 claims to be heard.

The tribunal was set up to deal with compensation claims from people who contracted hepatitis C or HIV from contaminated blood products.

Official estimates forecast its final cost could reach €2.2bn.

Ms Warnock also expressed anger that lawyers are paid €10,000 one-off “golden hello” fees on top of the daily rate of €845.

“They are being [given] €10,000 to take up a job paying them nearly a grand a day — it is outrageous given the state of the country,” said Ms Warnock. “We could really use that kind of money to help people affected by this.”

Dr Reilly’s spokesperson did not respond to the demands for an apology.

Dr Reilly has come under intense fire in recent months for his manner, which some TDs have called “abrasive”.

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