The Minister for Health is taking legal advice on the release of documents sought by the Irish Haemophilia Society. Mr Martin told the Dail last night that the society had suggested that the documents, over which his Department had claimed privilege, could throw new light in what the State knew about the contamination of blood products in 1991 when the compensation package between it and HIV-infected haemophiliacs was agreed.

"I am currently discussing the question of privilege with my legal advisers," he added.

Mr Martin said it had been suggested that the claiming of legal privilege over documents by State parties, including his Department, was interfering with the Lindsay tribunal's ability to investigate fully the circumstances of the contamination of blood products.

All documents relevant to the tribunal's inquiries were made available by his Department on foot of a discovery order, he added. "My Department has co-operated fully with the tribunal at all times, a fact acknowledged by Judge Alison Lindsay."

The Minister was replying to the Labour spokeswoman on health, Ms Liz McManus, who said it was necessary if the State wished to maintain transparency and openness, and even honesty with its own citizens, that it did the decent thing and allowed a full and comprehensive investigation to be undertaken.

"If the State itself has infected its own citizens, and refuses to admit its responsibility, then the State on behalf of the people of Ireland has taken advantage of its own most vulnerable citizens."