THREE organisations who were refused legal representation at the hepatitis C tribunal yesterday withdrew their High Court proceedings following agreement with the tribunal.
On Monday, the Irish Haemophilia Association, the Irish Kidney Association and Transfusion Positive were given leave by the court to seek an order quashing the decision of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Hepatitis C virus refusing them legal representation. The tribunal is due to sit on Monday.
The tribunal was established by the Minister for Health last month to inquire into the provision of blood products. On November 21st, the chairman of the tribunal, Mr Justice Finlay, said the three organisations could not be legally represented after hearing submissions from each of them.
Allowing the judicial review of the tribunal's decision, Mr Justice Shanley said the chairman of the tribunal had construed its terms' of reference narrowly.
Before proceedings got under way before the President of the High Court, Mr Justice Costello, Mr Richard Nesbitt SC for the Irish Haemophilia Society, said recent events had brought about a situation where it was not necessary to proceed with the action.
Counsel for the Irish Kidney, Association, Mr Tony Sammon SC, and Mr Brendan Grogan SC, for Transfusion Positive, told the court they had agreed to a level of representation at the tribunal.
Mr James Nugent SC, for the tribunal, said it did not regard itself as an adversary to any of the applicants or any party before the tribunal. He said clearly the terms of reference were solely the concern of the tribunal. Mr Justice, Costello said he was glad a settlement to this "unfortunate situation" was reached.
Mr Gerard Hogan, secretary of, Transfusion Positive, said that while the group would not have full legal representation at the inquiry, it was satisfied the settlement would allow for a full and frank inquiry.