Earlier this year, the Taoiseach said the survivors of thalidomide and their parents deserved an apology but he stopped short of giving that apology on behalf of the State. As he will be aware, the Australian Prime Minister apologised unreservedly last week. There are approximately 40 survivors of the drug, thalidomide, in Ireland. The Irish Thalidomide Association, ITA, said that 62 years is too long for full redress. Finola Cassidy of the ITA, a spokesperson and survivor, said: “We dare to dream Ireland will follow suit and allow us long overdue closure”. Are they going to get an apology and when are they going to get closure?

I noted what the Australian Government did, and I know the Australian Government has a scheme in place to provide additional compensation to thalidomide survivors in addition to the compensation that they currently receive. This Government would be very happy to match what the Australian Government has done, both in terms of an apology and also in terms of a compensation scheme. Unfortunately, we are not there yet. I would like to do it but we are not there yet. The indication I have is that if we did exactly what Australia did, quite a number of the survivors would not accept it, it would be rejected and they would have legal cases against the State, which is unfortunate.

Not everyone says the same. There are different groups representing different survivors of thalidomide. There are different solicitors and individuals involved. However, I am happy to state the basic principle that we would be happy to match what the Australian Government has done as regards an apology and a scheme but only if it is acceptable to the survivors.