Thalidomide victims demand Kenny apology

Irish thalidomide sufferers are seeking an apology from the Taoiseach, claiming he misled the Dáil about the progress of talks and that he is falsely trying to claim credit for an improved compensation package they are due to receive from the German government.

In contrast to Enda Kenny’s statement, the Irish Thalidomide Association began legal proceedings against the Government a number of weeks ago over its failure to progress talks with the group aimed at securing a State apology, improved healthcare package, and improved compensation.

However in the chamber, Mr Kenny told Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin that “good progress” had been made in discussions between both sides.

Thalidomide was prescribed to pregnant women in the late 1950s and early 1960s to minimise morning sickness.

However, the drug, which was later withdrawn, caused children to be born with deformities, including no limbs, shortened limbs, and the absence of organs.

In 1975, thalidomide children in Ireland received modest lump sums of between £5,000 and £20,000 and monthly payments of between £32 and £90.

In recent weeks, German thalidomide sufferers, who number in the thousands compared to the 32 known survivors here, won an improved monthly compensation payment which will be paid to those adversely affected by the drug worldwide.

This could mean anything from a 150%-500% increase in compensation payments to Irish sufferers and would begin next month while being backdated to last January.

However, Dr Austin Carroll, a spokesman for the Irish Thalidomide Association, told RTÉ’s This Week programme that its “reaction was firstly one of disbelief and really annoyance” when it heard Mr Kenny’s comments. It says he must rectify the Dáil record.

“For seven years we have been trying to get meaning negotiation or mediation from the Irish Government and we’ve got no proper meaningful meeting or negotiation. The Taoiseach has misinformed the Dáil and done us a misjustice. We are left angry and wondering when this will be resolved,” he said.

Both the ITA and an-other group, Irish Thalidomide Sufferers Society, has said the victory in Germany “has nothing to do with the Irish Government” and that it cannot claim credit for it.

The Department of Health has signalled, however, that the improved German compensation package “could throw up significant legal issues” as there is a risk that “if the Irish Government give a compensation award, this could be deducted from what the German government pay”.

The Irish State Claims Association met with its German counterparts to discuss the issue last week.