The Irish Haemophilia Society has requested an urgent meeting with the Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin, to discuss the possibility of expanding the Lindsay tribunal's terms of reference to allow an investigation of overseas pharmaceutical companies.
A spokesman for Mr Martin yesterday confirmed the Minister had received a letter from the society but had yet to decide on the matter.
The IHS is seeking a broadening of the terms in light of Judge Alison Lindsay's ruling last July that she was not entitled to probe into the actions and inactions of drugs firms that supplied infected blood products to the State.
The chairwoman said none of the terms expressly directed her to inquire into the area.
The IHS has warned that if the companies are not investigated the tribunal runs the risk of producing a flawed report.
The tribunal has heard imported concentrates were responsible for the vast majority of more than 250 haemophiliacs being infected with HIV and/or hepatitis C.
The tribunal resumes its public sittings today after the summer recess.
Dr Paul Giangrande, a haematologist from Oxford, England, is to give evidence on haemophilia treatment practice in the UK.
