Pádraig O'Sullivan (Cork North-Central, Fianna Fail)

We have heard all the talk about a 12-month anniversary for many TDs but I would like to talk about a 64-year anniversary which was commemorated yesterday. A group of us met the Irish Thalidomide Association in Leinster House. It was a cross-party meeting with Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats, the Labour Party and Independents all represented, and they universally acknowledged the hurt and pain those survivors have experienced for 64 years. I spoke here last year and asked for a State apology. A State apology was given by the British nearly 15 years ago and by the Australians in a similar timeline. For the life of me, I will never understand the legal jiggery-pokery we hide behind inside here and, specifically in this case, in the State Claims Agency. It is universally acknowledged that what happened was wrong and deeply regrettable. To forego the pain the few remaining survivors are experiencing, I am begging again today and pleading with the Tánaiste. A meeting is coming up on 9 December between the Tánaiste and the Taoiseach and the survivors and their legal representatives. I ask the Tánaiste for once and for all to bring it to a head. Do what is right and do what is expected. I could not attend the funeral of 95-year-old Peggy Murphy earlier this year because I felt ashamed as a public representative. I beg the Tánaiste, with the Taoiseach, to bring this to a conclusion once and for all.

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