Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I, too, welcome breast cancer awareness month. It is something that is very close to my heart. My colleague, Councillor Teresa Costello, and I had a breast cancer awareness stand last weekend at the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis. It is incredible the number of people who came over to share their stories and knowledge and they asked questions about how to self-check. We had a nurse and a breast cancer gene, BRCA, specialist there on the day to answer questions. The amount of interest is spectacular, as is the amount of heartache. I, too, lost aunts to breast cancer, so it is something that is close to my heart. I thank everyone for showing up today. I also ask everyone to do the check. Men and women should learn how to check themselves and to empower themselves and family members to check themselves because there is no need to die from breast cancer.

I also raise the issue of thalidomide. I met with the Irish Thalidomide Association on several occasions. I would like to think I have developed friendships with some of the survivors, who are incredible people. It is also incredible it is 60 years on and we still have not had a proper resolution to the care and needs of people who have suffered and who are survivors of thalidomide. There are 40 such people left on this island and they are all over 60. It is time the State apologised. It is time for a resolution in order that people can rest and get on with their own specialised healthcare and that the State will look after them as best it can.