Martin denies biased selection of board

The minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin, has rejected allegations that he appointed supporters and Cork-based allies to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service Board.

The Fine Gael spokesman for Health, Mr Gay Mitchell, said five of the 12 members of the board, appointed in June, were from Cork - the Minister's home base - while one was a graduate of University College Cork, two were representatives of the Southern Health Board, one was Mr Martins's personal departmental representative and the 10th was a former secretary general of Fianna Fail.

Calling Mr Martin "self-serving, tribal and insensitive," Mr Mitchell accused him of "blatantly politicising and tribalising what was supposed to be an independent national service".

Linking the appointments to questions over whether the Irish Blood Transfusion Service Board would close its Cork centre, he said it was a coincidence that a decision regarding the location of a new blood testing centre in Dublin, regarded as settled by Mr Martin's two predecessors, was being reopened.

Mr Martin, however, said he had responsibility for the appointment of only six of the 12 members. He appointed Dr Elizabeth Keane, director of public health with the Southern Health Board, Mr Tony McNamara, general manager of Cork University Hospital, Mr Pat Farrell, former general secretary of Fianna Fail and now head of marketing at the Educational Building Society, Dr Mary Horgan, consultant in infectious diseases, Cork University Hospital, and Dr Bridget Ann O'Connor, a consultant anaesthetist at Waterford Regional Hospital.

He also reappointed Mr Gerry Coffey, principal officer at the Department of Health and Children. Of the other members Dr Patricia Baker, registrar of Dublin City University and Dr Fred Jackson, a consultant haematologist in Waterford, were appointed by the former Minister for Health, Mr Brian Cowen.

Ms Valerie Mannix, a businesswoman from Kinsale, Co Cork, Dr Rosemary Hone, consultant microbiologist at the Mater Hospital in Dublin and Prof Shaun RMcCann, consultant haematologist at St James's Hospital in Dublin were originally appointed by Minister for Health, Mr Michael Noonan, and were reappointed by Mr Cowen.

Mr Martin said all the members had skills and experience that were an asset to the board.

He said they were all busy people who "should be commended for the sense of public duty rather than being dragged by Deputy Mitchell into political controversy". Mr Mitchell however stood by his allegations. He said the board already had three members from Cork when the Minister assumed office.

No member of the board receives remuneration for their services with the exception of the Chairperson, Dr Patricia Barker, who is paid an annual stipend of £4,000 for expenses.