OPPOSITION TDs complained in the Dail yesterday that not enough copies of the hepatitis C tribunal report had been circulated. The matter was raised by the Fianna Fail spokesman on health, Mr Brian Cowen, who accused the Government of selectively leaking sections of the report "to cover their own asses".
He said that no member of the House had received a copy of the report, except the opposition spokespersons. One copy had been sent to Positive Action. "One copy for the 1,200 victims who have been awaiting the outcome of this report..."
The Taoiseach said members of the Government had only received their copies of the report at Cabinet earlier in the day. Mr Bruton said that no disrespect was intended. The PD spokeswoman on health, Ms Liz O'Donnell, said it was improper that the media should be given the report before Oireachtas members. The Fianna Fail deputy leader, Ms Mary O'Rourke, said it was an insult to the women and their families that they had not received copies of the report immediately.