A dispute between the Irish Haemophilia Society and the Minister for Health has been settled. The Society had threatened not to take part in the forthcoming Tribunal into the infection of haemophiliacs, unless it had a guarantee that its legal fees would be underwritten by the State. However, a compromise agreement has now been reached.
Sixty-three haemophiliacs infected with Hepatitis C and HIV from contaminated blood products have died without knowing how it happened, why it happened or who was responsible. The row between the Irish Haemophilia Society and the Department of Health had threatened to damage the ability of the Lindsay Tribunal to investigate, but two and a half weeks before it is due to open, that row has now been resolved.
The deal is an improvement of a financial package previously put forward by the Minister. The Society's solicitors will be paid a £10,000 retainer each month rather than a fee of £500 per day. The Society's fund to pay expert witnesses has been doubled to £300,000. Crucially, if the Society needs additional funds, both it and the Department of Health will nominate an independent adjudicator to rule on the matter.
The agreement allows both sides to claim victory, the Society has said that it feels it is now on a level financial playing field as the Blood Transfusion Service Board and the Department of Health. The Minister feels he has not conceded the principle of refusing to give a written commitment to underwrite the Society's costs in advance. Haemophiliacs infected with Hepatitis C and HIV will be the first to testify when proceedings get underway here at the Distillery Buildings on 2 May. The Tribunal of Inquiry will then assess how it happened and the State's response.
