Martin welcomes agreement with the Irish Haemophilia Society
14 April 2000
The Minister for Health and Children, Mr Micheál Martin TD, today expressed satisfaction with the agreement reached with the Irish Haemophilia Society concerning costs for the forthcoming Lindsay Tribunal.
Agreement has been reached on the historic and preparatory costs and the Minister has also doubled the payments to the Irish Haemophilia Society for expert advice from an original offer of £150,000 to £300,000. The Minister added that if there is any need to replenish this particular fund , it can be sent for arbitration to an independent adjudicator nominated by both the Department of Health and Children and the Irish Haemophilia Society. The Minister is confident that this imaginative and innovative process will address the needs of all concerned.
The Minister has advanced increased funding to enable the Society to pay 75% of the brief fees in respect of two Senior Counsel and two Junior Counsel, and 75% of refresher fees in respect of retaining two Senior Counsel and two Junior Counsel for sitting and non-sitting days of the Tribunal. Brief and refresher fees are to be based on the rates and terms applicable to State Counsel. Such fees are to be discharged on an interim basis on account.
In relation to Solicitor's fees , the Minister is offering advance funds to allow the Society to pay a retainer of £10,000 to their solicitors, monthly in arrears with effect from 2nd May, 2000. The Minister has also agreed to pay costs of £188,000 sterling for scanning and indexing documentation in relation to the upcoming tribunal.
Minister Martin said "I think it is important that the Irish Haemopilia Society can participate in this Tribunal. I am delighted and happy that we have arrived at a solution regarding costs, and that the Society now feels that it can take part with confidence in the Tribunal ."
