MEMBERS OF THE Irish Thalidomide Association have collectively commenced individual legal actions against the State after accusing the government of “weaselling out” of its commitments.

ITA members today said they were launching a political campaign against the present Government, claiming that Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Tánaiste Eamonn Gilmore and Minister for Health Dr James Reilly have all reneged from their individual commitments delivered to the Irish Thalidomide Association members and contained in the programme for government. The ITA said that all discussions between it and government have now ceased.

The ITA says it has received legal advice asserting there are significant legal concerns associated with the protection of thalidomide children’s rights in the original 1975 compensation arrangement “relating to fairness, appropriateness and adequacy of funds advanced at that time by the Irish State as the offer was never approved or ruled by the High Court.” Members pursuing legal action say they will address these and other issues as part of their claims.

Individual members have now lodged their applications with the Injuries Board in the hope that authorisations will be issued to allow actions to proceed before the Courts.

“The original miserly settlement offer delivered by the Irish State in 1975 was based on the presumption that the ITA members would not survive into adulthood, never mind see their 50th birthdays,” said chairperson of the ITA Maggie Woods, 50.

Woods – who turns 50 this week – says she holds the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Government responsible for the present failures in the Irish State’s position.

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