THE former Minister for Health, Mr Howlin, rejected criticism by the opposition and said: "I did not do everything right. No human being ever will, but by independent judgment, the findings of which are before this House today, I and those around me got most of the decisions right."

He said he did not "give two pence" for political vindication. In the shadow of such terrible suffering, political posturing was shallow and empty.

"Of much greater moment and concern is to ensure in so far as human beings can that no such tragedy will again be visited upon our people and to ensure that those who are suffering are given the best support that this State can provide.

He said Mr Brian Cowen had complained that he had not sacked anybody in the BTSB. "I set up an expert group to get at the full facts. Should I have sacked people first and investigate afterwards?"

Mr Cowen had also accused him of lack of concern for the affected women. Yet on January 5th, 1995, Positive Action said in a statement: "Mr Howlin, when he was Minister for Health, treated us very sympathetically and we are delighted to see now that Mr Noonan has taken it on so speedily."

He said Mr Cowen had made political charges which were plainly untrue. "He stated that eight people were contaminated subsequent to the withdrawal of the product in February 1994. In fact, no woman was infected by anti D subsequent to my being informed of the problem in that month."

Mr Howlin denied he had misled the Cabinet and the Dail and the victims of the tragedy. He detailed his actions at the time and said Mr Cowen's claim had been partisan and biased.