Survivor’s of Symphysiotomy, which represents women who underwent the procedure in Irish maternity wards is accusing the government of trying to blindfold the women by setting up an opaque and closed ended process.

It follows the appointment by the Health Minister of Judge Yvonne Murphy to draw up a report outlining the fairest way to get closure for the women.

Symphysiotomy involved breaking a woman's pelvic bone during difficult childbirth- the discredited practice which was carried out here until the 1990s - left the women with chronic life-long pain.

Spokesperson for Survivors of Symphysiotomy - Marie O'Connor - says the government is trying to deny the women the compensation they deserve.