Minister for Health must initiate Sodium Valproate Inquiry – Rose Conway-Walsh TD

Sinn Féin TD for Mayo, Rose Conway-Walsh TD, today, on the one-year anniversary of the appointment of Ms Bríd O’Flaherty as Chairperson of the Inquiry into the Historical Licensing and Use of Sodium Valproate in Women of Child-Bearing Age, questioned the Minister for Health on when the inquiry will commence.

Speaking in the Dáil, Teachta Conway-Walsh said:

“Today marks a full year since the announcement of the appointment of Ms Bríd O’Flaherty as Chairperson of the Inquiry into the Historical Licensing and Use of Sodium Valproate in Women of Child-Bearing Age.

“It is almost 6 years since the then Minister for Health announced the inquiry in November 2020.

“The government must account for why the inquiry is yet to commence.

“Thousands of pregnant women in Ireland were prescribed medications, such as Epilim for epilepsy, despite emerging evidence of its harmful effects during pregnancy.

“The women and children affected need to have their voices heard and to get answers to their valid questions as to why clinicians in Ireland continued to prescribe these medications.

“In France a redress scheme has been established, in Britain an inquiry has been held and the government has committed to a redress scheme.

“I am pleased to confirm that a meeting has been arranged between the Minister and Organisation for Anti-Convulsant Ireland (OACS) and I hope that there will be a positive outcome, and that the inquiry commences as soon as possible.

“The government must do the right thing by women and children in Ireland affected by sodium valproate.”