Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas. Today, we saw news that Australia has offered a state apology to thalidomide survivors. There is now a pressing need for similar action to be taken by the Government here in respect of thalidomide survivors, approximately 40 of whom in Ireland have endured years of neglect and denial. The Australian apology underscores the moral imperative for us to take action now to provide the necessary care, support and recognition for survivors. This is not just for survivors but for their parents, some of whom are still alive but are now of advancing years and really need that apology. It means so much, particularly for the mothers of thalidomide survivors.

I pay tribute to Finola Cassidy and to her colleagues who have campaigned so tirelessly on this issue, and for the parents as much as for anyone, and whose pictures appeared in such a moving way in The Irish Timeslast Saturday. I am appealing to the Minister and I have raised this many times before in this House that the Minister and the Government would commit to making that apology and to ensuring that a package of recompense could be offered to survivors. The Government should move on that, now that the Australian Government has done so. It is long past time. I know that there has been engagement with the Government and I have spoken with the Tánaiste and many others about this, but we need to see a resolution for survivors of thalidomide now.

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