Thalidomide survivors hopeful after ‘detailed’ meeting with Government leaders

Thalidomide survivors are hoping that a meeting with the Taoiseach and Tanaiste will result in “a shift in the dial” for the thalidomide resolution process.

Another meeting is being scheduled for a month’s time as both sides “regroup” after a “detailed” hour-long meeting at Government Buildings on Thursday.

Thalidomide was prescribed to pregnant mothers in the 1950s and 1960s as an anti-morning sickness drug, but was later pulled because of links to birth defects and lifelong disabilities.

The German manufacturer of the drug apologised in 2012 to those born without limbs as a result of its use.

Last year, then-taoiseach Simon Harris announced an enhanced health package for survivors, including simplified access to local health and social care professionals, access to clinical and holistic therapies, independent living supports to include housing adaptions, car adaptations and home supports, annual health assessments and free travel passes.

It also set up a thalidomide resolution process, led by retired Court of Appeal judge Paul Gilligan, to make recommendations to Government on an ex gratia payment for each survivor.

Thalidomide campaigners have claimed that the process has stalled and have sought a meeting in recent months with Taoiseach Micheal Martin and Mr Harris, who is now Tanaiste.

Finola Cassidy of the Irish Thalidomide Association (ITA) said: “We have sought this meeting for many, many months to try and address the total impasse and the lack of proper engagement, and some very broken promises.”

She said the survivors were hoping the meeting would lead to “a shift in the dial” so that they could move on.

She added: “It’s fair to say it was a good meeting but it was so overdue that we had an awful lot to say in there.

“We have got a commitment that they will be responsible for the process and engage with it more fully.”

Austin O’Carroll said: “The Taoiseach and Tanaiste both committed to take responsibility themselves in this process.”

There are some 40 survivors of thalidomide in Ireland.

Among those who attended Government Buildings on Thursday was Donal Browne, the brother of Jacqui Browne, a disability campaigner and sailor who died in June.

Ms Cassidy continued: “We had some issues that we have a better understanding from the two sides on and that needed to be secured, we are going to meet in one month with hopefully – this is what we anticipated previously and it’s what we’ll be looking for now – a serious movement on the promises and the interaction and exchanges will move quickly in the coming month and then we’ll go from there.

“This saga has been going on for six decades, the mothers are getting older, we’ve very few left and we’ve lost some very dear friends in the interim and we really need closure at this stage.

“We’ve been looking for political responsibility on this for a long time.”

A statement issued by the Government Press Office said that the Taoiseach and Tanaiste “explained that the pathway for people who have not yet had their injuries affirmed as caused by the thalidomide drug is being completed”.

“They also confirmed that the Minister for Health has agreed to provide discretionary medical cards to unacknowledged thalidomide survivors.

“This will apply to individuals who are currently seeking acknowledgement, or those who intend to seek acknowledgement, as survivors of thalidomide through the State process.

“A letter will be issued shortly with details on this.

“The Taoiseach and Tanaiste also confirmed an enhanced package of services to all thalidomide survivors and agreed to meet with members of the board next month as Judge Gilligan continues his work.”