Vol. 408 No. 1
102 Tomás Mac Giolla asked the Minister for Health the steps he has taken to advise and assist women who were seriously affected by the Dalkon shield contraceptive device in making a case for compensation to the US manufacturers; and the number of women in this State who were affected.
Information available would suggest that the Dalkon Shield contraceptive device was not officially marketed in Ireland and that agencies under the aegis of my Department were not involved in any aspect of the supply or fitting of the device to women in this country.
When problems concerning the use of the Dalkon Shield were identified in the mid 1970s it was withdrawn from the market.
The Dalkon Shield Claimants Trust was established in 1985 by the United States District Court to administer, settle and pay Dalkon Shield claims. The manufacturers of the Dalkon Shield, A H Robins & Co. Ltd., were directed by the court to institute an international campaign to advise women who wished to pursue a claim for compensation to make appropriate application. While neither the company, nor their Irish agents had ever supplied the Irish market, it was concerned that some Irish women may have been fitted with the device. The company therefore conducted an extensive media campaign which involved the major public media including the national press. The Irish Medical Organisation and other key medical bodies were also contacted.
A voluntary body known as the Irish Dalkon Shield Association was established in 1986 to, inter alia, act as a liaison body for persons in this country claiming to be affected by the Dalkon Shield, to ensure that all Irish women who were prescribed this device are/and were made aware of the consequences to their health and to provide a counselling service for sufferers.
It is my view that the most appropriate channel for women pursuing claims is to contact the US Claimants Trust.
