IRISH THALIDOMIDE survivors have said they are “desperately disappointed” at the failure of Taoiseach Brian Cowen to meet them to discuss their concerns.
This week, Northern Ireland Health Minister Michael McGimpsey announced a £1.1 million compensation package for Northern Ireland’s 18 thalidomide survivors.
This followed an announcement by the British government of a £20 million compensation deal for its 466 thalidomide survivors.
The Irish Thalidomide Association, which works with 32 survivors, said Mr Cowen’s response was “in stark contrast” to the approach of the Northern Ireland and British authorities.
Both had accompanied the compensation package with apologies.
After two years of what it described as “stagnant talks” with Minister for Health Mary Harney, the association sought a meeting with Mr Cowen last month.
They received an acknowledgment of the letter last week but yesterday Mr Cowen said Ms Harney would meet the group after she had received a report from the State Claims Agency on the issue. The report is due before the end of the month.
Irish Thalidomide Association spokeswoman Finola Cassidy said it was “absolutely shocking” that the group had been “kicked to touch” by Mr Cowen.
She said they had wanted to speak to the Taoiseach about the need for a full apology from the State for licensing the drug to pregnant mothers.
The drug was prescribed for pregnant women with morning sickness between 1958 and 1961 but was withdrawn after it was linked with birth deformities.
The group is also seeking full disclosure of documents relating to the failure of the Government to immediately ban the drug after being warned of the dangers. She said it was baffling that the State was refusing to open up the files. “What are they hiding, 50 years on?” she asked.
The group is also seeking a new compensation package to deal with the challenges associated with old age. Many survivors have shortened or missing limbs and hearing problems. Some have brain damage.
Ms Cassidy said that years of over-using these deformed limbs had resulted in severe pain. Some people were unable to work while others needed wheelchairs and adaptations to their homes.
In 1975, parents of thalidomide children received a lump sum but Ms Cassidy said it was not envisaged that thalidomide sufferers would have survived to now so the payment was “minuscule”.
The association has received many calls from people with links to the thalidomide scandal in recent weeks, she said. The announcement of the compensation packages had brought back distressing memories for women who had miscarried thalidomide babies and for people who had lost their brothers and sisters because of the drug.
She again urged Mr Cowen to meet the group and listen to their concerns.
