The Government is consulting the Lindsay Tribunal over the Irish Haemophiliac Society's request to extend the Tribunal's remit to cover US-based drug companies.
However, in the wake of media coverage of the role of these companies in the infection of haemophiliacs by contaminated blood products, victims' demands for a change in the chairwoman's terms of reference have increased.
The Taoiseach told the Dβil yesterday that the Minister for Health and the Attorney General were consulting with the Tribunal chairwoman. Mr Ahern emphasised that the tribunal chairwoman must agree to expanding the terms of reference.
"We cannot change the terms of reference without consulting the chairperson", he said.