James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy asked when I will meet the representatives and the answer is "shortly". I have absolutely no hesitation in meeting them. They sent a letter to the Department outlining some of the things they would like to see happen and most of them have, in fact, already happened. The Deputy mentioned rapid access to diagnosis, which is already available.

They asked for a special medical card and they have been given that.

In the area of compensation we have already been notified that eight cases are going to court. On behalf of the State and as the Minister for Health, I have received six letters of notification of an intent to proceed legally in claims against the Minister, the HSE and the manufacturers, GSK, regarding damages suffered as a result of vaccination with Pandemrix. As yet no proceedings have been issued. It is our hope that we could avoid all that by perhaps going through the State Claims Agency, which is eminently suited to deal with this. I would prefer that any moneys available go to compensating those who have suffered pain and loss as opposed to the legal profession - I mean no disrespect to my honoured colleague beside me.

There are two things to say about calling for it to be named a disability. There are many conditions that result in disability but that are not labelled as a disability. The second point is a matter of some hope. I have been told unofficially - I am open to correction - that there appears to be some evidence abroad that some of those who have suffered narcolepsy as a consequence of this vaccination are beginning to recover. This may not, and, I hope, will not be a lifelong disability, but that is not to diminish in any way the huge distress that it has caused those it has befallen.

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