The Government must offer an official State apology in the Dáil to all thalidomide survivors in Ireland, including those it has failed to acknowledge, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns.
Deputy Cairns, who is the party’s spokesperson on disability, said:
“After decades of campaigning for justice, recognition and adequate compensation, thalidomide survivors have been left stunned by a letter received last week from the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and leader of the Green Party.
“This was nothing more than a statement of sympathy and regret for historic regulatory failings rather than the full State apology that the Irish Thalidomide Association and its members have been looking for. It has rightly been viewed as insufficient and insulting by campaigners.
“Thalidomide was prescribed as a morning sickness drug in this country from 1957 but was withdrawn internationally in November 1961. Ireland failed to withdraw the drug for a further nine months and, incredibly, it remained on the shelves of some rural pharmacies and in household medicine cabinets until 1964.
“Yet, 60 years later, the State has still not taken ownership of its failure to protect the many children who were born with catastrophic disabilities.
“Of the 40 thalidomide survivors in Ireland, the Government still refuses to recognise 12 of them – a snub that was repeated in last week’s letter from the three Coalition leaders.
“Survivors have also pointed out that the health care package announced by the Government last week is the same one that was first promised in 1975, but never delivered.
“I am now calling on the Government to deal with the outstanding issues to be resolved, including: an acknowledgement of State wrongs; an official apology to survivors and their families in the Dáil; the delivery of a comprehensive health, social care and independent living supports package; and fair and just compensation for all thalidomide survivors.
“It is difficult to understand the reluctance of successive Irish governments to accept responsibility for the State’s failings.
“Ireland’s handling of this scandal stands in stark contrast to the response of the Australian government, which last year offered a full, unreserved apology to all thalidomide survivors, their families, loved ones and carers. Our Government must now follow this example.”
July 16, 2024