Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

A Cheann Comhairle, you might perhaps give me some guidance on the matter I wish to raise. The Irish Thalidomide Association has been in contact with the Minister for Health and Children and, through her, referral to the State Claims Agency for three years trying to get some redress similar to what has occurred in Northern Ireland, the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly and in the House of Commons at Westminster.

The Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady, came to the House on Thursday last - she might not necessarily have been aware of the background to this situation - and she read into the record of the House the following: "The State Claims Agency met with representatives of the association on 25 June last year and listened carefully to its position". That is simply not true. I seek your guidance, a Cheann Comhairle, and that of the Taoiseach, in terms of offering an opportunity for the record to be set straight. That has not been the experience of the association. It has been met with marked silence from various Government agencies in total contrast to what has happened across the water and in the North.

We are talking about 32 survivors, most of whom are now in their 50s and who have long since exceeded their original expected lifespan. Can the record of this House be corrected and can we avoid further shame on this Administration and on this Republic in terms of how we deal with those 32 citizens who have been ignored by the self-same State Claims Agency? Up to 12 e-mails have been sent to the chief executive of that body since 25 June and they have not been responded to. The only contact the association has received has been since this matter went public in other administrations. We are being shamed into living up to our responsibilities. I ask the Taoiseach to take this matter in hand, as his colleague, the Minister for Health and Children is incapable of dealing with it.

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