Lisa Chambers (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The manner in which the whistleblowers have been treated is completely unsatisfactory. The Chief Whip and the then Minister for Defence, Deputy Simon Coveney, seem to be at odds about who said what and when, and Deputy Coveney seems to be unaware that the whistleblowers wanted to meet with him personally while the Chief Whip says otherwise.

In the context of a health review of those potentially affected, we need to assess what soldiers were affected by this chemical issue and what their health implications are or were. We need to sit down with the individuals concerned and put together a health package for them to ensure their health needs are met into the future. If the health of any of them has been adversely affected because of failings on the part of the State to provide proper health and safety equipment and a safe place to work, the State needs to step up to the plate. It should ensure the health needs of these people are met into the future and that they do not have to foot the bill themselves.

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