Kilkenny TD Calls for Urgent Debate on Thalidomide Survivors’ Needs

Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow-Kilkenny, John McGuinness, has formally requested an urgent debate in the Dáil regarding the longstanding issues faced by Ireland’s thalidomide survivors. His appeal comes as part of a broader movement to ensure that the needs of this vulnerable group are finally acknowledged and addressed by the state.

In his communication with the Government Chief Whip, McGuinness emphasized that it is time for the government to offer a comprehensive and compassionate response to the survivors. “I want their claims settled. These survivors have been waiting for decades, and their demands are entirely reasonable. The State cannot continue to turn a blind eye to a small and diminishing group of people who have suffered all their lives through no fault of their own,” he stated.

Urgent Support Needed for Thalidomide Survivors

Deputy McGuinness has called for the establishment of a statutory support package designed to meet the evolving health needs of all thalidomide survivors. He believes that such a package must encompass every survivor and provide them with the certainty and recognition they deserve after enduring a lifetime of challenges.

The Irish Thalidomide Association (ITA) has long advocated for three key commitments from the government: a formal state apology, statutory supports tailored to the complex needs of survivors, and a fair compensation scheme. Currently, there are around 40 thalidomide survivors in Ireland, all of whom are now in their 60s. The ITA also points out that a small number of survivors’ mothers, some of whom are in their 90s, are still alive and merit recognition for the hardships they have faced.

McGuinness noted that a financial settlement between the Irish State and Gruenthal, the drug’s manufacturer, was reached in 1975. However, this agreement reflected limited medical expectations at that time. “The 1975 settlement was made when it was believed those affected would not live into older age,” he explained. “Nobody could have foreseen the complexity of their health needs half a century later. The State must now step up and address this reality.”

The call for a debate on this pressing issue highlights the ongoing struggle of thalidomide survivors in Ireland. Advocates argue that it is essential for the government to provide the necessary support and acknowledgment to ensure that these individuals receive the care and recognition they have long been denied. As the number of survivors continues to dwindle, the urgency for action becomes increasingly clear.

The Irish government has yet to respond to McGuinness’s request, leaving many to wonder how long these survivors will have to wait for the justice and support they deserve.