I wish to raise with the Taoiseach an issue I have been raising for some time with his predecessor and, indeed, the Tánaiste, namely, justice for survivors of Thalidomide in Ireland. I know the Taoiseach is well aware of this scandal. I have worked closely for some time now with the Irish Thalidomide Association and Ms Finola Cassidy, in particular, on the need for a State apology and appropriate supports and resolution for survivors. It has now been 62 years since the drug was withdrawn from the market, yet survivors and surviving parents are still waiting for justice. The sad reality is that as time passes, more and more people in the community are passing away without seeing justice. Just yesterday, we got news that Elizabeth Sweeney had sadly died without recognition or validation for herself or her daughter Sandra. I offer my sympathies to Ms Sweeney's family.

The State has not formally acknowledged that what happened was not the fault of the mothers and parents.

I thank the Deputy.

Will the Taoiseach make a commitment today to engage with the Irish Thalidomide Association-----

I thank the Deputy.

-----to secure a resolution of this issue for the survivors and their families?

I certainly will. I have already had contact with Finola Cassidy from the group, who is a regular campaigner here in Leinster House and known to all of us. I am very happy to have that engagement. As the Deputy said, there was a lot of engagement prior to my appointment with both my predecessors, Deputy Varadkar and the Tánaiste. I have asked to be briefed by my officials on where that is at. I join Deputy Bacik in extending my sympathy to the family of Elizabeth Sweeney on her passing.