Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Deputy raised this issue. I met with Finola Cassidy again last week. Other Ministers, including the Minister for Health, Deputy Donnelly, have engaged on the matter. I want the process to be restarted. Last year, the facilitation process, which is confidential in nature, made a great deal of progress. That has stalled now, however. I earnestly want to see it restarted. Finola and the members of the Irish Thalidomide Association deserve to see that happen. We have to agree what will need to happen to restart the process. The confidentiality aspect is very important. I know Finola and others completely agree with that and that we can move towards ensuring each survivor is looked after appropriately. We have brought in a range of supports over time and they have been welcomed, but I really do want to see the process restart.

I am glad the Deputy raised this matter. I will speak with the Minister for Health directly - many of us have already done so. I know the Minister is committed to moving this matter on.

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