Dept of Health begin talks with IHS over HIV compensation

The Department of Health begins talks with the Irish Haemophilia society on the issue of HIV compensation this morning.

It is hoped legislation needed to deal with the issue can be passed in the remaining weeks of this Government’s lifetime.

The Minister for Health met with representatives of the Society last night and two issues dominated proceedings.

They discussed the options open to them in investigating the role of US drugs firms in supplying contaminated blood products that led to the infection of Irish Haemophiliacs.

The Minister presented them with a 100 page report into the legal basis for such an investigation and both sides will be studying it in detail before the Minister discusses the idea of a second blood tribunal with the Cabinet next week.

He also presented them with a document outlining his views on the legislation necessary for compensation to those who contracted HIV in the scandal. Discussions on the legislation begin this morning.