A COURT case which will have major implications for the compensation claims of up to 1,800 Irish, people infected with hepatitis C is due to conclude this week.
The Government is attempting to force the disclosure of the identity of a woman gravely ill with hepatitis C who wishes to take the action under the pseudonym "Bridget Roe".
Some of those infected believe that the Government is trying to discourage some hepatitis C victims from taking court action because they would be embarrassed by their names being made public.
Already 400 infected people have issued legal proceedings and that number is expected to increase if the "Bridget Roe" case is successful.
The Government has been accused of trying to "cajole and corral" hepatitis C victims from taking their cases to court.
Positive Action, the support group for women infected with the disease, has already voted not to submit applications to the Government appointed compensation tribunal which it rejects as "flawed and unfair".
Ms Jane O'Brien, chairwoman of the group, said that because of a number of concerns women may feel better taking their claim to court.
"The women may feel that the High Court is the best route to ensure their claims are heard properly," said Ms O'Brien.
The woman in the "Bridget Roe" case claims that during 12 pregnancies between 1969 and 1982 she contracted hepatitis C after treatment with a blood product Anti D immunoglobulin.
If the court upholds the woman's right to anonymity before the deadline for applications to the tribunal in June, it could mean that the majority of people will opt to go to court.