Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is an issue we have been committed to in terms of the continued support for the health, personal and social service needs of Irish thalidomide survivors.

A confidential facilitation process on a range of issues relating to thalidomide commenced during my term as Taoiseach and has continued. Progress was being made on significant aspects in this regard, which we are currently implementing in conjunction with survivors. Regrettably, progress on other matters has not advanced as we had hoped. Alternative channels to progress matters remain available. I cannot go into the details because we were asked at the beginning that this would be a confidential process.

I can tell the Deputy that every effort is being made by the Government. No one was more disappointed than I was at the collapse of the process. It should not have collapsed. The Government wants to ensure the provision of proper, life-long healthcare, housing and adaptability provision and other things. There is a process to get this issue resolved. It should be completed.

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