Ms Patsy Carr:

I will answer it in part if that is all right. My understanding is that Deputy MacSharry is correct that there were 105 applicants. To correct what I said, I said six people went to Sweden in 2008 but it was actually five. I understand that the injuries of one person were deemed to be attributable to thalidomide. My understanding is that the number of persons who met the criteria back in 1973 was 33. Two individuals died and, more recently, one person passed the assessment process.

I am afraid I do not know the detail of the criteria that were used back in 1973 by the thalidomide board. My understanding is that the system in Sweden is open to people worldwide. Anybody at any stage can present to it and if he or she meets the assessment criteria, he or she is accepted by the Contergan Foundation in Germany and gets payments from it. We recognise anybody who is recognised through that system and we will ensure that payments follow from the State, which has at all times sought to support survivors of thalidomide and to provide for their health needs.