Hep C victims - They should not have to suffer more

THE legislation which Tánaiste and Health Minister Mary Harney introduced in the Dáil in relation to hepatitis C, should help to make the lives of victims more bearable, not add to their distress as it appears to do.

She has acknowledged that the infection of people with contaminated blood products was catastrophic for them and their families.

The fact that it was a catastrophe is the responsibility of the State and the State alone, because they were infected through blood products administered by the State.

The latest legislation, the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal (Amendment) Bill 2006, is ostensibly aimed at making insurance available for victims, who are precluded from getting it because of the condition imposed on them by the State.

It should in no way present barriers or restrict anybody from receiving compensation. Though, that is the perception with the minister’s announcement about the introduction of a new test to diagnose the disease.

It would be totally untenable for the Government to seek to limit its financial liability for the disastrous condition it inflicted on so many people.

It has a clear responsibility to those people and cannot avoid it.