Martin expresses 'profound regret'

The Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin, and his Department have expressed "profound regret" and sorrow for the suffering caused to haemophiliacs.

Closing legal submissions to the tribunal yesterday, counsel for the Department, Mr Ian Brennan SC, said he had been instructed to read the following statement:

"The Minister for Health and Children and his Department very much regret the pain and suffering caused to all of those who have been infected by the infection of blood and blood products, and acknowledge the impact on the haemophilia community has been particularly devastating.

"The toll in human lives has been great and the loss of so many people, particularly the loss of children, is a tragedy of immense proportions. The personal testimony given to this tribunal by persons with haemophilia who were infected with hepatitis C and HIV brought home, in a particularly graphic way, the pain and suffering these infections have caused and continue to cause.

"The loss of fathers, sons and brothers is still deeply felt by their families and friends, as was demonstrated by the testimony given by those who have suffered such grievous loss.

"The courage and strength of those witnesses both in the coming to this tribunal to give evidence and in the giving of that evidence is greatly admired and respected.

"That such an immense tragedy should befall citizens of this State whilst availing themselves of State health services is a matter of profound regret and, irrespective of causation and the findings of this tribunal, the Minister and his Department wish to take this opportunity to express to the persons infected, and to their families, how deeply sorry they are that they should have been caused so much suffering."