More than 60 people with haemophilia have died as a result of their infection with HIV or hepatitis C, or both, counsel for the tribunal, Mr John Finlay SC, said yesterday.
As a result of using products supplied to them to treat their haemophilia, approximately 105 people in the State became infected with HIV and in the region of 200 became infected with hepatitis C.
Some were infected with both, Mr Finlay told the first day of the tribunal's hearings.
He said the victims who were volunteering to give evidence were showing great courage in coming forward to describe matters which were obviously deeply hurtful, private and sensitive.
"One of the strongest themes coming through almost all of the statements of evidence is the need of persons with haemophilia to preserve secrecy, certainly in respect of their infection with HIV and or hepatitis C.
"While I have no doubt that all persons involved in the tribunal, including the media in reporting it, will be scrupulous in respecting the right to privacy of persons with haemophilia, is it not a serious indictment of our society that there should be such a compelling need for secrecy?" Mr Finlay asked.
"One of the benefits which it might be hoped would emerge from this tribunal would be to dispel some of the ignorance and prejudice which surrounds the conditions of HIV, hepatitis C and haemophilia.
"If that does occur, a large part of the credit will be due to the courage of the persons with haemophilia and their relatives whose evidence we hear," he said.
Mr Finlay said the tragedy surrounding the infection of haemophiliacs was not unique to Ireland. There were similar tragedies in many countries throughout the world.