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Thu 04 Apr 2003Blood unit price almost trebled since 1998The price charged by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) for units of blood collected from voluntary donors has increased almost threefold over the past five years from just over €80 in 1998 to €223 last year.The increase was described as colossal at a meeting of the Dáil Public Accounts Committee yesterday. Mr Paul Connaughton TD said the increase was so unusual it could be included in the Guinness Book of Records.