THE hepatitis C report should be referred to the Garda authorities Mr John Dardis (PD) said. He understood that the gathering of evidence was not a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions, to whom the report had been referred.
One of the things that appeared to emerge from the report was what had been described as "institutional arrogance", said Mr Dardis. That seemed to be something that was characteristic of a lot of these institutions, that they thought the people could not be trusted with information and the ordinary peasants, as they would see them, were somehow not entitled to be told the facts.
Mr Michael O'Kennedy (FF) suggested that representatives of Positive Action be invited to address the House on the calamity that had befallen the blood contamination victims.
Government leader in the House, Mr Maurice Manning, promised there would be a full debate on all aspects of the hepatitis C scandal, hopefully before Easter. "I join with colleagues in complimenting Judge Finlay on the speed, thoroughness, impartiality and the frankness of his report. It is a model for reports of thins kind."
He had some doubts about Mr O'Kennedy's proposal, but he would refer to the House and Committee on Procedure and Privileges to see if it could be adopted.