Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Fianna Fáil Party will support the motion to designate Lariam as a drug of last resort. For many years, serious concerns have arisen regarding the use of this anti-malarial drug by members of the Defence Forces serving overseas in Africa and other areas where malaria is rife. Side effects of Lariam include anxiety, depression, paranoia and suicidal behaviour, all of which indicate that the drug can seriously increase the risk of mental health problems for users.

We in Fianna Fáil believe the use of Lariam continues to cause severe and irreparable mental health damage to brave members of the Defence Forces. Current and retired members of the Defence Forces have expressed to us their grave concern regarding the drug. A total of 69 claims have been taken by current and former members of the Defence Forces who allege injury as a consequence of using the drug.

In 2015, the British Ministry of Defence admitted that 1,000 former servicemen and women who had been prescribed Lariam are suffering severe psychiatric and mental health problems. Moreover, an RTE "Prime Time" investigation broadcast in 2013 found that the incidence of suicide among Defence Forces personnel prescribed the drug was between three and five times higher than among those who were not prescribed it. Despite the decision last July by the manufacturer of Lariam to withdraw the drug from the commercial market in Ireland, it remains available and continues to be used in the Defence Forces. This is despite the assertion by the chairman of Roche, the company that manufactures Lariam, that its use against malaria is no longer necessary. Dr. Franz Humer is on record as stating science had advanced significantly since Lariam was first introduced. He also stated there are now more effective anti-malarial drugs available, with reduced side effects. Two other anti-malarial drugs besides Lariam are in use in the Defence Forces. The decision on which medication is provided to soldiers is made by medical officers. Surely the Defence Forces should shift from using Lariam to using other anti-malarial drugs.

The Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA, argues that Ireland is not following a UN guideline that an alternative drug should be provided for personnel with a sensitivity to Lariam. Speaking about the side effects of Lariam, a former member of the Defence Forces, Anthony Moore, who is a member of the Action Lariam for Irish Soldiers group, stated: "Had we been informed, most of the lads would not have taken it." Servicemen and women in our Defence Forces deserve better. They have put their personal lives on hold and risked their lives and safety for the security of the country. The Government has done little to express its gratitude for their unbelievable sacrifice.

Unfortunately, Dún Uí Néill Army Barracks in my constituency of Cavan-Monaghan closed some years ago. As Deputy Brendan Smith noted, two and three generations of the Defence Forces work tirelessly in County Cavan and must now commute to barracks in Dundalk and Athlone. Their accounts of what they must do during their working day do not bode well. These individuals are an integral part of the communities they protect and it is a sad state of affairs when one hears such accounts.

The Government must reconsider the use of Lariam in the Defence Forces because it is causing severe damage. Designating Lariam a drug of last resort would mean it could only be prescribed when no alternative is available. Based on the experience of this approach in the United States and Australia, fewer than 1% of people here would be considered suitable for Lariam, in other words, the drug would no longer be used by the Defence Forces. As a result, no other soldier would have his or her career and life ruined by the drug's adverse side effects.

The Government must address the needs of our servicemen, for example, those who need an effective but safe anti-malarial drug. If nothing is done, the Government will send out a clear message that the problems of the men and women who sacrifice everything for the protection of the State are but inconsequential to some elected officials.

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