French Polynesia's ruling Tapura Huiraatira party has defended its member in the French Senate after recent advice to throw out 10 of the 12 nuclear compensation claims pending in a Tahiti court.
Lana Tetuanui and Edouard Fritch arrive for a meeting with French PM Edouard Philippe Photo: Supplied
Lana Tetuanui was part of a commission whose work led to an amendment of a French act which is being quoted to reject the claims.
The apparent failure of the bids has caused dismay but the Tapura says it regrets that some organisations call into question the amended law adopted by both the French National Assembly and Senate.
The party says there is the option to appeal, yet notes that in the case of the 12 presumed victims in question a ruling is still to be delivered.
The Tapura also says that since last December's amendment there has been a large increase in the number of people being eligible for compensation.
France tested 193 nuclear weapons in the South Pacific over a 30-year period, with some of the atmospheric blasts irradiating most islands