The coalition leaders have informed the Cabinet of their intention to appoint Mr Justice Paul Gilligan to engage with the Irish Thalidomide Association (ITA) regarding their long-running campaign regarding State liabilities.
It follows a meeting between survivors of Thalidomide and the three Government leaders at Government Buildings on 24 July.
The Irish Thalidomide Association described the meeting as historic and hopefully the beginning of the end of the difficulties.
The organisation wants a State apology, statutory supports and a fair compensation system, among its demands.
There are around 40 thalidomide survivors in Ireland.
Thalidomide first became available in the late 1950s as a drug for sleeping problems and morning sickness but later became linked to birth defects.
The group said that 60 years on from the biggest medical tragedy, it is seeking justice for both the recognised survivors and those it is aware of who have been damaged by thalidomide but have not yet been officially recognised by the State or the German manufacturers of the drug.
The ITA believes there was a failure to recall thalidomide in Ireland in 1961, along with inadequate regulations and a failure to put a healthcare package of supports in place in 1975.
