Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I share the frustration with this process. I will say two things in passing. First, notwithstanding the fact we await the signing off of the process, not on our side but by the group and the legal representation, a judge has been appointed. We sought nominees for the judge and accepted the nominations that were put forward. Meanwhile, anything relating to health is now 100% available for survivors, as is anything to do with house refurbishment or whatever is required for them. We are very anxious to get sign-off on the process and on judges. We have a HSE liaison co-ordinator who has done very effective work and is working with quite a number of survivors on their needs and so on. I express my sympathies to the family of Jacqui Browne, who was an indefatigable strong advocate for all those who suffered as a result of the thalidomide scandal.

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