Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The symphysiotomy payment scheme is due to close in eight days' time, yet victims of hepatitis C and the residential institutions had three years in which to apply for compensation. The redress scheme for the Magdalen women had no closing date for applications. However, in this instance, the survivors of symphysiotomy have been given an unprecedented period of 20 days. It has been said, and the Minister has responded to me, that late applications will be considered but at the discretion of the assessor, Judge Maureen Harding Clark. This is in marked contrast to the other instances I have cited and yet there are no appeals allowed. We need to recognise that some women still do not know that they were subjected to this horrific procedure. There are women who, for emotional reasons, cannot yet bring themselves to come forward. There are women who were operated on in this country, who were subjected to this procedure and who have since emigrated. There are women without records and women suffering from dementia. All of these are entitled to a caring and inclusive consideration.

This redress scheme is a pathetic effort which is cold and callous. That is the view of a number of the women with whom I have spoken. It is designed to force acceptance of its terms by women who are already weary, who are aged, many of whom are in ill-health. They know that if they do not accept the Minister's terms their entitlements die with them. It is a shameful way to treat innocent women who have already been so cruelly treated. I urge that at the very least the Minister arranges for the extension of time of notice of application to present to a period of three years, in line with the other instances I have cited and not the insulting and outrageous 20 days that currently is the case. The scheme is set to close at the end of next week. I ask the Minister if he will act now.

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