LABOUR TD KENNY CALLS FOR COMPREHENSIVE SETTLEMENT FOR THALIDOMIDE VICTIMS

Posted on November 2, 2011 4:27 PM   |   Permanent Link   

It is now 50 years since a pregnancy drug called Thalidomide went spectacularly wrong. The word Thalidomide entered into the dictionary, a word meaning an unthinking and risky approach to medicines which blighted the lives of thousands of people. Babies were born with devastating injuries and liabilities, families were torn apart and many died. The babies are now growing up and still face a huge burden for the rest of their lives.

Thalidomide was sold in a number of countries across the world from 1957 until 1961 when it was withdrawn from the market after being found to be a cause of birth defects in what has been called "one of the biggest medical tragedies of modern times". It is not known exactly how many worldwide victims of the drug there have been, although estimates range from 10,000 to 20,000.

In Ireland there are 32 acknowledged survivors of the Thalidomide tragedy who are now approaching their fifties, many or all of whom are suffering with rapidly deteriorating health and disabilities that are usually seen in people much older.

The Irish Thalidomide Association are seeking justice for those affected by the use of Thalidomide. They are also seeking openness and transparency from the Irish Government and an acknowledgement of the wrong that occurred. In addition an apology from the Irish Government has been sought together with fair and equitable compensation.

The Irish Thalidomide Association engaged in discussions with the Minister for Health and Children almost three years ago in relation to the fairness and adequacy of an arrangement entered into on their behalf in 1975, yet a comprehensive response is still awaited. During this time, they have witnessed a complete revision of the arrangements in other jurisdictions.

In December 2009, the British Government delivered an apology to those affected by Thalidomide in Britain, yet the Irish Government still fails to acknowledge that a wrong occurred.

In Ireland, the Attorney General advised that there was no legal responsibility for the State. I must be honest, I find that hard to believe. The fact is that the Irish Government of the day failed to remove the drug for several months after it was declared unsafe - the Government knew Thalidomide to be unsafe.

I have been made aware of phrasing in Government documents dating back years in relation to this issue that contain phrases that indicate that the Department was wholly concerned with the economic cost of compensation to the State - there was little indication of the human concern here. What about parents well into their 80s, and their 50-something children trying to get some sort of comprehensive recompense for what happened to them?

I welcome the fact that the Minister for Health has said that he wants to enter into meaningful discussions around a financial gesture of goodwill to Irish survivors of thalidomide. This would be in addition to the health care package already mentioned. Whatever about legal responsibility, there is certainly a moral responsibility on the part of the State and I want to see a comprehensive settlement - not a gesture, not a token, but a real and comprehensive settlement made to the survivors of Thalidomide in Ireland.