Séamus Kirk (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Sinn Féin for the opportunity to contribute on the Bill, which Fianna Fáil supports. It took a long time for health services in this country and elsewhere across the world to evolve into the modern treatment facilities we have in many places today. In many areas of medicine the abandonment of inappropriate and outdated practices has taken time. The procedure of symphysiotomy is a very good illustration of the point. Between 1944 and 1992 it is calculated that 1,500 such operations were carried out in maternity units in this country. In many cases women suffered lifelong disability because of the procedure, often in silence.

Thankfully, the procedure is no longer practised in maternity hospitals. Since 2003 a health package has been available to approximately 100 women who suffered the ill effects of the procedure. In 2011, Dr. Una Walsh, senior research fellow in medical history at UCC, was appointed to review the practice of symphysiotomy in this country. The report was conducted in two stages. The first draft report contains information about the frequency with which symphysiotomy was carried out in this country. The second stage involved a consultation with patient groups, health professionals and, in particular, the women who had undergone symphysiotomy.

The key provision in the Bill is to set aside the Statute of Limitations to enable survivors to achieve redress through the courts. The stories of survivors are deeply upsetting and distressing. Survivors and their families feel a great injustice has been visited upon them and we agree. We must address the situation immediately. I appeal to the Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, and the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, who are present, to take on board the points that have been made on the issue of which we have been aware for some time. Those who suffer, in many instances in silence, must have their cases addressed. The time is now. I urge the Minister to act.

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