Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The health and welfare of men and women of the Defence Forces is a priority for me. The choice of medication for overseas deployment, including the use of Lariam, is a medical decision made by the medical officers in the Irish Defence Forces. Having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and individual members of the Defence Forces, Lariam remains the medication prescribed by the medical corps for Defence Forces personnel on appropriate overseas missions to ensure that our military personnel can have effective protection from the very serious risks posed by malaria, which killed approximately 438,000 people in 2015, with 90% of deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, as reported by the World Health Organization. It is a serious threat to any military force operating in the area. There are no plans to withdraw Lariam from the range of anti-malarial medications available to Defence Forces personnel.

The Deputy asked whether I would meet Action Lariam for Irish Soldiers. I have no problem with meeting this group. Unfortunately, I was unavailable to meet its representatives at the weekend, but I sent them correspondence. I will meet the group, as did my predecessor, and listen to its concerns. I must outline my number one priority, which is the safety of the members of the Defences Forces whom we send abroad.

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