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

We have had troops going to various parts of the world for 58 years. If we are to send more troops to any part of the world - we have not decided to do this, so let us not start overstepping the mark - we will have to go through the usual procedures for assessment and reconnaissance.

We will also have to go through a triple-lock decision-making process, as is appropriate. In addition, we will have to ensure that it is consistent with what we want to do from a foreign policy and defence policy perspective and in a way that is consistent with neutrality.

I am answering a question on the Mali issue later on, but whenever we send troops to parts of the world that have a malaria problem we have to make the appropriate assessments to ensure that we try to protect them as best we can. There is no distinction between officers and ranks, which is a suggestion that was made previously. I asked that question forcefully and I got a forceful response. This is purely about screening, assessing and trying to protect people as best we can, given the drugs options that are there. As regards any doctor that suggested to the Deputy that there is some kind of simple solution and that we should just switch to another drug, I suggest that it is not as straightforward as that from a medical point of view.

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