THE State was bullying vulnerable hepatitis C victims, the PD spokeswoman on health, Ms Liz O'Donnell, claimed. She was speaking during a debate on the Health (Amendment) Bill, which provides them with free health services.

Ms O'Donnell said that, while the health care provisions were welcome, they formed an integral part of an overall package which was woefully deficient.

So far, only 72 women had applied to the compensation tribunal with many others determined to pursue their actions in the High Court. She was horrified to learn that letters had been sent from the State Solicitor to individual women, stating that if they ignore the tribunal and proceed through the courts, "the resulting litigation will be fully defended by the State, if necessary to the Supreme Court".

She said such "state bullying of vulnerable women who seek to vindicate their rights in this matter is totally unacceptable".

The Minister for Health, Mr Noonan, said the Bill will provide free GP services, including prescribed drugs and medicines, dental, ophthalmic and aural services, independent counselling, home help and home nursing. It would copper fasten the Government's commitment to meeting the future health care needs of persons who had contracted hepatitis C from a blood transfusion.

The Fianna Fail spokeswoman on health, Mrs Maire Geoghegan Quinn said the Bill had only been brought forward after intensive efforts by Fianna Fail, the PDs groups representing the victims.

She said that in the past she has called on the Director of Public Prosecutions to investigate whether a criminal prosecution should be brought in regard to the hepatitis C affair. "During the past 10 gays, I received a rather threatening letter in my mail as a result of that call."