Survivors of thalidomide drug dismiss compo plan

THALIDOMIDE survivors have expressed disappointment at the terms of a new €2m-plus compensation package announced last night by the Government.

The Irish Thalidomide Association (ITA), representing Irish survivors of the controversial drug, said the financial package appeared “derisory”.

Survivors were also upset at the failure of the Government to offer an apology for the state’s past decision to allow thalidomide to remain on the Irish market for seven months after it was known to cause birth defects.