Full legal representation was granted to three parties on the opening day of the tribunal of inquiry into the infection of haemophiliacs with HIV and hepatitis C yesterday.
Full representation was granted by the tribunal chairwoman, Judge Alison Lindsay, to:
The Blood Transfusion Service Board (BTSB), which will be represented by Mr Michael Kealey and Mr Roddy Bourke of McCann Fitzgerald Solicitors.
The Minister for Health, who will be represented by barristers Mr Ian Brennan SC, with Mr Daniel Herbert SC, Mr Kenneth Bredin and Ms Margaret Cordeil.
The Irish Haemophilia Society, which is represented by Mr Raymond Bradley of Malcomson Law Solicitors.
Limited representation was granted to seven other parties:
St James's Hospital, where the National Haemophilia Treatment Centre is located. It will be represented by Mr Maurice Collins BL, instructed by A. & L. Goodbody Solicitors.
The Attorney General, who is represented by Ms Maureen Clark SC, Mr Luan O Braonain BL, and Mr Kevin O'Connell from the Chief State Solicitor's office.
The National Drugs Advisory Board (now replaced by the Irish Medicines Board), represented by barristers Mr Anthony Aston SC and Mr Brian Cregan, instructed by Eugene Collins Solicitors.
The Kilkenny healthcare worker who became infected with HIV following a blood transfusion in July 1985 will be represented by barristers Mr James Connolly SC and Ms Oonah McCrann, instructed by Ms Anne-Marie McCrystal from Lavelle Coleman Solicitors.
Prof Ian Temperley, director of the National Haemophilia Treatment Centre, 1971-95; Dr Helena Daly, locum consultant haematologist with the National Haemophilia Treatment Centre, July-September 1985; and Dr Terry Walsh, initially employed by the BTSB as consultant haematologist and later as its director will all be represented by barristers Mr Brian McGovern SC and Mr Nicholas Butler, instructed by Arthur Cox & Co Solicitors.
Dr Stephen O'Sullivan, who was employed by the BTSB from 1973 to 1982, will be represented by barristers Mr Patrick MacEntee SC, with Ms Anna O'Connor, instructed by Mr Greg O'Neill of Brophy Solicitors.
Ms Cecily Cunningham, a former chief biochemist with the BTSB, will be represented by Mr William Egan of Egan Cosgrave Muldowney Solicitors.
Counsel for the tribunal include Mr John Finlay SC, Mr Gerard Durcan SC, Mr Patrick McCann and Ms Grainne Clohessy, instructed by the Chief State Solicitor's Office.
Judge Lindsay pointed out that the granting of representation was no indication of whether or not costs would be granted. She will rule on this matter when the tribunal has concluded its business.