The Minister for Health and Children, Mr Martin, has said he is sympathetic to an appeal by the Irish Haemophilia Society for the terms of reference of the Lindsay tribunal to be broadened to allow an investigation of overseas drugs companies.
But he added that "the practicality, feasibility and logistics" of such a move would need to be examined before it could be approved.
Mr Martin was speaking following a meeting at his offices yesterday with the society at which the IHS argued for a broadening of terms to facilitate a full inquiry into the infection of 252 haemophiliacs with HIV and/or hepatitis C in the State.
This follows a ruling by Judge Alison Lindsay last July that, under its existing terms, the tribunal was not entitled to investigate certain actions and inactions of pharmaceutical firms which supplied infected blood products.
Mr Martin said he would consult colleagues in his Department and the Government on the matter and would report back to the society within two weeks.
"I understand fully the desire of the Irish Haemophilia Society to pursue this. I understand where their members are coming from. But I think they would acknowledge there are certain issues we have to tease out further," he said.
The minister rejected a claim by the IHS that the tribunal's report would be "flawed" if the companies were not investigated.
"I think the tribunal has worked very well. It has been acknowledged on all sides that important issues have come to the fore," he said. "I am not pre-empting what the chairman may judge in the end, but I think it's fair to say the public in general has been impressed by the manner in which the tribunal has been conducted."
Evidence from the tribunal to date suggests that of 105 haemophiliacs infected with HIV, eight were infected with Irish products and the remainder with imported ones.
Speaking after yesterday's meeting, Ms Rosemary Daly, administrator of the IHS, said the society was "very anxious" that the Minister made a positive decision as soon as possible.
The IHS wants the tribunal to seek access to crucial documents used in litigation against pharmaceutical companies in the US and now stored in a Florida depository.
The society has warned that the last date for applications for access to the documents before the depository is closed is November 1st next.
"There are time constraints here and the people who have suffered and their families want closure," said Ms Daly. "He (Mr Martin) is the only man in the country who can provide it."
