Haemophilia sufferers who contracted HIV from contaminated blood products will serve weekly writs on the Minister for Health and Children between now and the general election.
This is part of a plan for a campaign to overturn the terms of a 1991 settlement, which will be finalised by the Irish Haemophilia Society at its agm in Portumna, Co Galway, this weekend.
Pointing out that the Government had acknowledged that the terms of the 1991 settlement were neither fair nor equitable, Ms Rosemary Daly, administrator of the society, criticised the Minister for failing to meet commitments he had made.
These had been made to the families of those who had died as a result of receiving contaminated blood made or distributed by the State, she said.
"These victims were promised action in 1999," she said. "In July 2000 the Minister again made a commitment to introduce legislation during the autumn of that year.
"The Government has dragged its heels on this issue and we are still awaiting promised legislation to allow for fair and equitable compensation for HIV victims.
"As recently as 21st February Mr Martin made a commitment to revert to the IHS on this issue within two weeks with his plans for legislation. The Minister has failed again to meet his own deadline."
Sixty-four people had already died because of the contamination of blood products with HIV, she said.
Many victims and their families will take legal proceedings against the Minister between now and the general election.
"Time is of the essence in ensuring no further delays for HIV-infected persons and their next of kin in obtaining fair and equitable compensation," the society's administrator said.