Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The health and welfare of the Defence Forces are a priority for me and this informs my approach to the issue of Lariam. As I have already advised the House today, a malaria working group was established in January 2011 and reported in April 2013. The group was reconvened in August 2015.

The purpose of the group is to review, inter alia, issues arising in relation to the use of Lariam, particularly in the context of the current and potential litigation. It is to review the approach of the Defence Forces to the use of malaria chemoprophylaxis. It is also to ensure that the procedures continue to be appropriate and in accordance with best medical practice. In addition, the group was tasked with reviewing the use of the drug primaquine as part of the overall medical treatment process for those deployed to malarious areas.

As with the group's original report, the current report is being produced in the context of current and potential litigation and is, therefore, legally privileged. I can confirm that the group is investigating all the various allegations surrounding the use of Lariam and has obtained advice from leading medical experts.

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