Blood bank head explains call for judicial inquiry

The chief of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has said a judicial inquiry was the best way of investigating why 28 blood donors diagnosed with Hepatitis C in the early 1990s were not immediately informed.

IBTS acting chief executive, Mr Andy Kelly, said the board had fully endorsed the terms of reference of an investigation into the case at a meeting yesterday.

Speaking to RTÉ Radio this morning, he also said the board accepted there had been a delay in dealing with the issue which was first revealed in 1997 at the Finlay Tribunal.

At yesterday’s meeting the board decided a full judicial inquiry rather than an investigation led by barristers, as suggested by the Minister for Health, was the best way to proceed.

The IBTS also wants the to extend the investigation to examine time-frame for releasing information on all hepatitis C tests until the present date.

Mr Kelly said: "A judicial inquiry is the most speedy, effective and comprehensive way of investigating why 28 blood donors diagnosed with Hepatitis C in the early 1990s were not immediately informed".

It would reassure the public about the safety of blood supplies, he said.

The inquiry was prompted by a decision by a donor who was not immediately informed of his positive test result for Hepatitis C in the early 1990s to sue the IBTS and the State for damages as a result of the delay in revealing the test results.

The donor gave evidence to the 1997 Finlay tribunal under the pseudonym Donor L.

It is understood the groups representing those infected with Hepatitis C; Positive Action and Transfusion Positive, are unhappy with the IBTS’s proposals and are contacting their legal teams today.