Symphysiotomy Redress Offer Disappointing Says Crowe

Commenting on the Government’s publication of the detail of the Redress Scheme to survivors of the barbaric practice of symphysiotomy and pubiotomy, Dublin South West TD Seán Crowe described the scheme as an insult to women who have had to endure in the vast majority of cases a lifetime of agony. Crowe said that the Redress Scheme was never simply about money, but  what is on offer was just not good enough and that while he is personally disappointed for the women involved, it is up to each individual whether they will accept or reject what the State is now offering

Deputy Crowe was a member of an all-party support group of Deputies and Senators who have campaigned in support of the victims for over a decade

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“While I expect that a small tiny number of the survivors will actually welcome the terms of the Redress Scheme now on offer, I can also anticipate that for the vast majority of women, the victims of symphysiotomy and pubiotomy, will be bitterly disappointed at its narrow terms.

“There will, I expect, be a number who will reject outright the Government’s pay-out scheme and continue their actions through the courts in order to get their cases heard and hopefully get some justice.

“Whatever decision each woman survivor takes, I want to put on record my support for them. It will be the women themselves who decide what is the most appropriate response, mindful of all the circumstances that apply in their respective lives.

“For those who choose to continue to battle and to face the HSE/Department of Health and the Government through the courts, you will continue to have my party Sinn Fein’s wholehearted support.

“Whatever decision each of the women take, I want to record that it has been an honour and a privilege to have met and worked with many of the survivors.

“Personally while this campaign was never about money, the Government’s offer would hardly compensate someone for the butchery and lifetime of agony that many of these women have had to endure, is simply not good enough. They are also being pressurised into making this huge decision within a twenty day period.

“Unfortunately it seems that once again that the very real suffering they have endured seems to be set aside for some sort of narrow political or financial expediency.”