Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

This is critically worrying in the extreme. Let us look at the conclusions of the British committee. It stated that there was "neither the need, nor any justification for continuing to issue this medication to Service personnel" unless they can be individually assessed in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements. We know that is not possible in an army setting. The British forces are also concerned with the health of their personnel. Does it not bother the Minister of State that practically every single defence force on the planet has changed its position regarding Lariam except for the Irish Defence Forces, which dig in and refuse to acknowledge what has gone on? There is nothing wrong with saying we made a mistake. There is nothing wrong with acknowledging the wrongdoing. It is wrong, however, to continue with a policy that has been abandoned in other jurisdictions because of legitimate health concerns. We are flying in the face of international knowledge on this issue, yet we carry on blindly. This report was produced in 2013 and the working group was reconvened in 2015. The Minister of State's predecessor told us we would have the report in January. Can we see it, please, or is the Minister of State saying we will never get to see it?

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