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

I wish to raise with the Taoiseach an issue I have been raising for some time with his predecessor and, indeed, the Tánaiste, namely, justice for survivors of Thalidomide in Ireland. I know the Taoiseach is well aware of this scandal. I have worked closely for some time now with the Irish Thalidomide Association and Ms Finola Cassidy, in particular, on the need for a State apology and appropriate supports and resolution for survivors. It has now been 62 years since the drug was withdrawn from the market, yet survivors and surviving parents are still waiting for justice. The sad reality is that as time passes, more and more people in the community are passing away without seeing justice. Just yesterday, we got news that Elizabeth Sweeney had sadly died without recognition or validation for herself or her daughter Sandra. I offer my sympathies to Ms Sweeney's family.

The State has not formally acknowledged that what happened was not the fault of the mothers and parents.

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