Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

Noting the presence of the Minister for Health and Children in the Chamber, I take it she has been briefed a representative of the Irish Thalidomide Association was interviewed on the radio this morning. That association has been in dialogue with the Department of Health and Children and the State Claims Agency for over two years. As there are fewer than 40 survivors, will the Minister ensure the matter is brought to a conclusion in the interest of ordinary decency? These people, to whom the State owes a degree of responsibility, should be treated with respect and promptness. They have been left for far too long without a decent response from the Government.

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