MINISTER for Health Mary Harney has said she will be “more than happy” to discuss the “particular difficulties” facing thalidomide victims when she receives a report from the State Claims Agency on the issue this month.
“Clearly I have huge personal and professional sympathy for what happened many years ago,” the Minister said in Galway yesterday.
Ms Harney was in the west to announce €7.5 million in capital funding for a clinical research facility at University Hospital Galway, and to mark Engineers’ Week at the medical device plant run by multinational Covidien.
Earlier this week, the Irish Thalidomide Association said it was “desperately disappointed” at the failure of Taoiseach Brian Cowen to discuss their concerns.
The association is seeking a new compensation package from the State to cope with the growing challenges faced by 32 thalidomide victims in Ireland. It is also seeking an apology from the State for licensing the drug.
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