Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What the Minister said is very welcome, particularly with regard to the fact that some payments may be made before Christmas and that the women will not require the services of solicitors. I also welcome the fact that the three groups which have supported the victims tirelessly during the past ten to 12 years are recommending that they should make applications in respect of the €100,000 awards that are on offer. Some of the women with whom I have been dealing are concerned that it might be difficult for them to obtain these awards and are more disposed towards applying for the €50,000 awards.

Perhaps the Minister will set out what women must do to obtain the €100,000 and reassure them that the process will not be cumbersome and simply require the provision of proof that a symphysiotomy has taken place and letters from a general practitioner or those who have been treating them in recent years to prove their disabilities. By Jove, most of these women have serious disabilities arising from symphysiotomy. I reassure them about how simple the process will be.

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