Some 60 years on, everyone agrees there must be a resolution to the State’s scandalous handling of thalidomide. What is needed now is a fair and full resolution for the survivors, for their families and for their mothers, many of whom are now in failing health. As the Irish Thalidomide Association has warned, the clock is ticking for this small group of just 40 survivors. They have had too many false dawns. There was renewed hope in December when the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste committed to taking personal charge, which was very welcome. The Taoiseach must maintain that momentum now. Will he confirm that the February meeting he scheduled with thalidomide survivors will proceed? Survivors seek justice, the provision of a State apology and appropriate redress. They have waited six decades; they should not have to wait any longer.

Obviously the thalidomide facilitation process is under way under the chairmanship of Mr. Justice Paul Gilligan. There has been good engagement with the Irish Thalidomide Association, ITA, and the Irish Thalidomide Survivors Society. The Tánaiste and I met the ITA twice in the last quarter of 2025, in October and then before Christmas. These were constructive meetings. Several complex issues were raised. Officials are following up on these matters. I am as frustrated as anybody by the length of time this has taken. I do not think there is a need for that. I think these issues can be resolved. There is ongoing correspondence. We will meet, certainly, our objectives by the end of February. We have established, as the Deputy knows, a national thalidomide advocacy office. A wide range of health and social care supports are being provided, have been provided and will continue to be provided in terms of medical cards, annual assessments, access to allied health professionals, access to international centres of excellence when expertise is not available nationally, prophylactic MRI, unlimited access-----

I thank the Taoiseach.

-----to exercise and hydrotherapy facilities, and personal living supports. All that is in place but there are outstanding issues we want to resolve as quickly as we possibly can. We believe the Mr. Justice Gilligan process is a good process and one that should be availed of.

Thank you, Taoiseach. Deputy Quaide.

And the Taoiseach will be meeting them before the end of February.

Yes. We will come back with a date to the organisation.