asked the Minister for Health if the Government have yet made a decision on the amount by which it is proposed to augment the funds available to thalidomide children.
2.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Thalidomide Children.
1.
asked the Minister for Health if he has yet received the report of the independent committee set up to examine the problems of thalidomide children; and, if so, if he will make a statement on the matter.
With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 and 2 together.
I have received the report of the Irish Thalidomide Medical Board and have recently issued the appropriate parts of it. I have accepted in principle the recommendations of the board and I am considering how best these recommendations can be implemented. The Government are considering the question of augmenting the German compensation and I hope to make an announcement on this at an early date.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that notification has been received by the parents to the effect that the offer is conditional on their foregoing any claim which they might have against the German company as is implied in the letter?
I do not think that is factually correct. A letter was sent asking whether proceedings were to go ahead against the German company. To interpret that as saying it was conditional would be misinterpreting the letter.
May I take it that this will not inhibit the parents pursuing their legal action against the German company?
The Minister for Health has requested the parents' association to state whether they intend to proceed with legal action.
Can they pursue legal action? Will it affect any claim they may take against the company?
There was no suggestion in the letter that it would be conditional on withdrawing their claims.