An inquiry has begun into the historical prescribing of an anti-epilepsy drug which can cause birth defects if used during pregnancy.
The non-statutory inquiry into the use of sodium valproate, sold under the brand name Epilim, is scheduled to last between 12 and 18 months.
It is estimated that more than 1,000 children have been impacted in Ireland since the 1970s.
The inquiry, which will be chaired by barrister BrÃd O’Flaherty, will be divided into a number of strands.
The first will be the review phase, which will establish a timeline of the use of the drug, including information on safety and regulation.
The Department of Health said the inquiry will have responsibility to request documentation from a range of stakeholders and will be obliged to record any difficulties where such requests are refused.
The second phase will be made up of oral statements from affected families. These sessions will be held in private.
Other phases will focus on assessing the health services’ current capacity to respond to safety issues related to the use of anti-seizure medications in women.
The department said necessary data regulations were passed last week in the Dáil and Seanad.
Karen Keely has three sons, Harry, Lee, and 26 year old Lorcan, all of whom have been impacted by the drug
Families have been campaigning for years for an inquiry to be held and have welcomed the fact that it began today.
Karen Keely, chairperson of the Organisation Anticonvulsant Syndromes Ireland, has three sons, Harry, 38, Lee, 30, and 26 year old Lorcan, all of whom have been impacted.
She said: “I’m delighted that we got to this stage, that the it’s actually happening.
“There are no words, you know, I’m sure I’m not the only one. There are many mothers like me out there.
“It’s basically ongoing – the search for justice, for answers. [To find out] who knew what and when. And I don’t think that’s too much to ask for.”
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill also welcomed the commencement of the inquiry and said its work will also involve developing recommendations regarding the services and supports for those impacted.
She said a communications campaign will be launched in the coming weeks to raise public awareness of the inquiry.