Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

One of the questions was about personnel who were administered Lariam but who were deemed unsuitable. There are people who might have depression and for whom the administration of Lariam might be deemed unsuitable. From my knowledge, few, if any, were deemed unsuitable for deployment based on the fact they would have to take Lariam and had some underlying ailment which might have reacted to it.

I have not only sought a review from this Minister but also raised the matter with the previous Minister for Defence. There are a number of cases of concern and that is why I raise the issue of Lariam. Given that we have the luxury of not having a deployment to sub-Saharan Africa in the near future, a review could take place on the use of Lariam and whether the alternatives would be more suitable. One of the alternatives needs to be administered more regularly and the belief is that is the reason it was rejected. Others said there was a cost implication.

I have asked the Minister and the previous Minister a range of questions about Lariam and to ensure the medical advice is not wrong. The Irish Medicines Board cannot act unless it has the information. The Defence Forces have not acted properly in regard to serving and former members of the Defence Forces who have raised a concern about Lariam. Can the Minister confirm that all such issues have been reported to the Irish Medicines Board by the Defence Forces?

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