Sir, - In a recent interview (November 5th) with a journalist from The Irish Times concerning the Tribunal of Inquiry, I went on to speak about my worries for the bereaved families of those who died suddenly whilst still awaiting a hearing before the Compensation Tribunal. We are aware that every effort is made by the members of the Tribunal, and by the legal advisers, to facilitate seriously ill patients, but unfortunately sudden death is occurring.
We hope that the tribunal will have the facility to award the bereaved family a more generous settlement than could be awarded by the courts. This sentiment I expressed to your journalist, but somehow its feed back made it appear that we had fault to find with the working of the tribunal to date.
I hope the publication of my letter will set the record straight, as the chairman and members may feel their sensitivity to the bereaved families was in question. The IKA encouraged its members to avoid undue stress by choosing the Compensation Tribunal, and is well satisfied. - Yours, etc.,
Chief executive,
Irish Kidney Association,
156 Pembroke Road,
Ballsbridge,
Dublin 4.