The controversial order to place the hepatitis C compensation tribunal on a statutory footing was signed by the Minister for Health, Mr Cowen, yesterday. Those appearing before the tribunal after tomorrow will automatically have 20 per cent added to their award for aggravated damages.
Positive Action, the group representing women infected with hepatitis C through antiD, welcomed the action. The chairwoman, Ms Jane O'Brien, said it had been the group's policy since 1995 that the compensation scheme should be established in statute.
"We felt this had to be done because of the enormity of the hepatitis C scandal and the long-term consequences of the illness," said Ms O'Brien.
A spokeswoman for the Department of Health said that the Minister had signed the statutory instrument yesterday afternoon.
In May the rainbow coalition bowed to pressure from groups representing people infected with hepatitis C through contaminated blood products and raised its offer for aggravated damages to 20 per cent. This is expected to push the overall compensation costs to an estimated £240 million.
It is now impossible for the tribunal to be abolished without the consent of the Oireachtas.
The Bill establishing the tribunal on a statutory footing was passed before the general election in June and allowed for an establishment date to be set.
People appearing before the tribunal will have the right to appeal an award to the High Court. It also allows for the settlement of cases instead of a full hearing.