Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am not saying "ah sure" anything. I am saying that the working group looked at the issue and came back with the recommendation that on balance we should continue using Lariam. I have asked the group to look at the issue again. That work only started in September and the group will report before the end of the year. This is not a blasé attitude, as the Deputy is suggesting, but quite the opposite.

I will continue to ask for ongoing assessments of whether this is the right policy. People are asking questions, including people like Seán, who I am delighted to see here today and who is very welcome. Obviously, these people are very concerned about the issue. As Minister for Defence, whose primary focus and responsibility is to ensure our troops are safe where they are trying to help protect the safety of others, I try to ensure that they are given the best possible medical treatment we can give them both at home and abroad. As soon as I get an updated report from the working group - there are experts on that group - we will act on that. I cannot be more up-front than that.

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