Compassion, kindness and generosity were not enough in dealing with the victims of blood products administered by the State, Olivia Mitchell (FG, Dublin South) told the Dáil.
"We are obligated to these people and everything we do in terms of legislation, and the schemes that are set up must be informed by this sense of unlimited obligation."
The State could not compensate those people for what happened, but it could ameliorate its impact."The impact is medical, social and psychological. However, there are also practical implications for those infected with hepatitis C.
"Simple things that most of us take for granted, such as the ability to get travel insurance, life assurance, a mortgage and accompanying mortgage , which is a prerequisite for obtaining a mortgage, are denied these people."
She accused Mary Harney of sneaking in an amendment to commitments already given to reduce the level of protection in 1997 "in a mean-spirited, nit-picking and insensitive manner".
Ms Mitchell said the insensitive nature of the measure was uncharacteristic of the Minister and she was surprised she would stand over it. "This Bill now stipulates that eligibility be determined by a single test, the purpose of which is to limit eligibility. It is not the case that it is a wonderful test. It simply limits eligibility."
Finian McGrath (Independent, Dublin North Central) claimed the Minister was proposing to make amendments to the Hepatitis C Act 1997 which would significantly limit the categories of persons entitled to claim for compensation under the health code.
Ollie Wilkinson (FF, Waterford) said the Government acknowledged in the strongest terms that the infection of people with contaminated blood products was catastrophic for them and their families.
"While the monetary compensation helps in a way, it can never repair the damage done to them. Ireland is doing more for victims compared to other countries in similar circumstances."
Dr Jimmy Devins (FF, Sligo-Leitrim) said he knew some of the people affected since his time as a general practitioner in Sligo.
Under the Bill, a person requiring insurance would have to pay the average basic premium which an uninfected person of the same sex and age would pay. "As I understand it, what that means, in effect, is that any person infected with hepatitis C or HIV as a result of infected blood products will not suffer in any way in obtaining life assurance."
James Breen (Independent, Clare) said the shame of the infection was deepened by the reaction of various ministers for health. "Instead of full and rapid support being granted to patients, an attempt at cover-up, finger-pointing and denial quickly followed."
Paddy McHugh (Independent, Galway East) said the devastation caused to people affected and their families could not be comprehended. "It, therefore, behoves the State to act in a thorough and comprehensive manner to ensure that amendments are made and that some element of comfort is provided to those people affected by hepatitis C and HIV."
