Gerry Adams TD raises symphysiotomy redress scheme with - TopicsExpress

Gerry Adams TD raises symphysiotomy redress scheme with Taoiseach Sinn Féin Leader Gerry Adams TD, speaking in the Dáil today, asked Taoiseach Enda Kenny, in the context of the Government’s decision to go ahead with a redress scheme for the victims of symphysiotomy, when the Government would announce further details about the scheme. Gerry Adams said: “The unnecessary and inexcusable delay by the Government in adequately dealing with this issue has been a source of great frustration and upset to victims. “Some victims have welcomed the redress scheme. It is, for them, an opportunity to secure some financial compensation for the pain and hurt which they have endured as a result of the barbaric practice of symphysiotomy. “However many of the victims are angry and unhappy at the Government’s redress scheme. Almost 200 survivor members of the support group SOS have voted to reject this redress scheme and ICCL has strongly backed the decision of these survivors. “They are particularly angry about the Government’s refusal to lift the statute of limitations and thus allow victims the right to choose which course of action they wish to take for closure. The Government’s has denied victims who wish to go down the legal route their day in court.” Mr Adams asked the Taoiseach if his officials would meet with the SOS group to discuss these concerns. In his response, Mr Kenny said that in meetings with Patient Focus, Survivors of Symphysiotomy Limited and Survivors of Symphysiotomy, Minister Leo Varadkar confirmed that the scheme would be put in place as quickly as possible. The Taoiseach did not give any specific details of when the redress scheme would be rolled out and he did not agree to Mr Adams request for further meetings with the survivors’ groups.