THE Minister for Health, Mr Noonan, is expected to recommend to the Government that aggravated and exemplary damages should be paid to the victims of the hepatitis C scandal.
With the absence of the Taoiseach and some Ministers from the State for St Patrick's Day festivities, a decision may not be made on the issue at Wednesday's Cabinet meeting.
Government sources have confirmed that the Attorney General, Mr Dermot Gleeson, is studying the question of aggravated damages for hepatitis C victims. He is expected to present a report to the Cabinet within the next week. There is reported to be a general desire among ministers to meet the request of Positive Action, the campaign group for victims, if at all possible.
Meanwhile, the Government has given an undertaking to the Opposition parties to debate a Dail motion, rather than take statements, on the report of the Tribunal of Inquiry into the Blood Transfusion Service Board on Thursday. It has also agreed that the debate will not conclude until tomorrow week.
The Fianna Fail Chief Whip, Mr Dermot Ahern, has indicated that his party intends to table an amendment to the Governments motion seeking the payment of exemplary and aggravated damages. The wording of the Government motion will be agreed on Wednesday for presentation to the Dail on Thursday.
A Fianna Fail attempt to have a question and answer session with Mr Noonan and the Minister for the Environment, Mr Howlin, at the conclusion of the debate has already been turned down by the Government.
