THE hepatitis C tribunal was announced on October 15th, 1996, following an admission of liability by the Blood Transfusion Service Board in a High Court action taken against it and the Minister for Health by Mrs Brigid McCole. Mrs McCole had died on October 2nd, and her family sent a series of questions to Michael Noonan, which became the basis for the tribunal's terms of reference.

The tribunal, chaired by Mr Thomas Finlay, began hearing evidence on December 2nd and continued for three weeks before Christmas. Over the Christmas break, the chairman submitted a brief interim report to the Government. He then held a further three weeks of hearings, with evidence concluding last Thursday.

On Monday, there will be closing submissions from lawyers representing the various parties. Mr Finlay is expected to submit his final report in the last week of February.