Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Before I give the official answer, it often strikes me that it can come across as clinical and simply giving the facts. Everyone in this State knows of a person with a difficulty from thalidomide. I accept sympathy does not pay the bills either. It is also not a case of the Government refusing to open to negotiations.

I am pleased to take this opportunity to outline the current position on the Irish survivors of thalidomide. When one thinks there are only 32 survivors, who would not want to deal with this problem?

Lest there be any misunderstanding, this Government did not suppress any information. The document referred to in recent media reports is a document dating from 1974 prepared by officials in the Department of Health for the then Minister. This document, among other matters, outlines a position adopted in 1962. The distributors of thalidomide in Ireland suspended distribution of the drug in December 1961 and then withdrew stocks of the drug in January 1962. It was decided at that time not to issue a public statement. The document, however, outlines that it was decided in June 1962 that the most effective step to take to deal with the issue was to circulate all chief medical officers to ensure all doctors, chemists and hospitals in their area would secure the return of any unused stocks. As Deputy Clare Daly said, how were we supposed to get to women who had it in the medicine cabinet already?

It is important to bear in mind that action taken in 1962 should not be judged or reviewed applying the rules or regimes applicable today. I am sure we would not do today what was done then. It would seem the position in Ireland did not materially differ from the position in other European countries at the time. Few countries then had systematic controls for licensing drugs and it was in the light of the thalidomide experience that most countries developed such arrangements. This was reiterated by one of the thalidomide survivors on the recent "Prime Time" programme on the matter. The document states: "It is of interest to note that the attitude of the British authorities was no different.” This is not an excuse.

This document was released by the Department of Health in 2010 to solicitors representing Irish survivors of thalidomide, along with all other records available to the Department relating to the period in question. The Government’s focus is to address issues which remain and the programme for Government includes a commitment to reopen discussions with Irish survivors of thalidomide. Given the challenges that persist for each individual, the Government's aim is to address the health and personal social care needs of thalidomide survivors living in Ireland.

There are 31 Irish survivors of thalidomide receiving tax free payments from the Department of Health. A German foundation also pays Irish survivors of thalidomide, payments which are also tax free. Since 1 August 2013, the German foundation has substantially increased its monthly payments to Irish thalidomide survivors. In addition, 15 survivors who accepted it at the time received a once-off payment from the Department of Health in July 2013 of €62,500.

Up to 22 of the Irish survivors of thalidomide have initiated personal injury claims against the State. A mediation conference is proposed for these claims. It is hoped this can proceed early in the new year. Both I and the Minister for Health are determined to ensure equality of treatment for all Irish survivors of thalidomide. The Government will continue to work to find a way forward to progress matters for Irish survivors through discussions. All Members are anxious this matter is resolved as quickly as possible.

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