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

I am aware of the paper recently published to which the Deputy refers and the ongoing debate relating to the use of Lariam. The health and welfare of the men and women of the Defence Forces is a priority, as I said earlier to Deputy Crowe. As I have already indicated to the House, the choice of medication for overseas deployment, including the use of Lariam, is a medical decision made by medical officers in the Defence Forces, having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual members of the Defence Forces. Significant precautions are taken by the Defence Forces' medical officers in assessing the medical suitability of members of the Irish Defence Forces to take any of the anti-malarial medications. It is the policy of the Irish Defence Forces that personnel are individually screened for fitness for services overseas and medical suitability, and a medical risk assessment for Lariam is carried out on an individual basis. The Irish Defence Forces policy on the use of anti-malarial medication is in line with the Health Products Regulatory Authority's current approved summary of product characteristics.

As I previously indicated to the House, my Department established a working group in January 2011 to examine the use of Lariam and other anti-malarial drugs in the Defence Forces. The group produced its report to a former Minister for Defence in 2013. I am advised that the group investigated the allegations surrounding the use of Lariam and obtained the advice of leading medical experts who concurred with the prescribing practices followed by the Defence Forces. Since production of its report, members of the working group have continued to monitor developments in the area of malaria.

My Department has recently reconvened the working group which is engaging once again with experts, both nationally and internationally, on the use of Lariam and other anti-malarial drugs in the Defence Forces. As I stated, I would like to get the report before the end of the year but I want to ensure it is as thorough as possible. My understanding is that I will probably get it in January.

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