Denise Mitchell (Dublin Bay North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this important motion. I express my sincere thanks to the work done by members of our Defence Forces, particularly those young men and women, many from my constituency, who are serving overseas on United Nations peacekeeping operations. We all admire the fantastic work done by members of the Naval Service in the Mediterranean in helping to rescue those unfortunate people fleeing war and conflict across the Middle East and Africa.

For over 20 years, Lariam has been the first-choice anti-malarial drug given to Defence Forces personnel on deployment to sub-Saharan Africa. However, over the years there has been increasing focus on the side effects of this drug not just here in Ireland, but internationally. Research shows that the drug affects the limbic system, the part of the brain which control's a person's emotions and behaviour. The side effects range from very common symptoms such as insomnia to depression, anxiety, panic attacks, aggression, hallucinations and paranoid suicidal tendencies - the list is horrific.

The US Army Special Operations Force determined in 2013 that due to the warning of potential long-lasting serious mental health problems, it was ceasing using the drug, stating that "consideration must be made for the impact of this medication on our population". In Britain, a House of Commons select committee was very critical of the use of Lariam. Soldiers explained how they suffered memory loss, insomnia, mood swings and hallucinations. It is worth noting that restrictions on the use of Lariam in Britain, even before the 2016 report, had been placed on aircrews, divers and those operating heavy machinery. There are also serious concerns that the use of Lariam may present difficulties when it comes to diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder.

As there are a number of safer alternatives to Lariam, it beggars belief that this drug should remain the anti-malaria drug of choice for our Defence Forces. Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, France, the Czech Republic, Australia, Canada and Belgium all prefer their personnel to use an alternative to Lariam. Therefore, what is the justification for keeping it as the go-to treatment here? A year ago, the drug was removed from general sale in Ireland, yet it continues to be used by members of the Defence Forces for whom it remains available via wholesalers. The removal of this drug from the general market, coupled with its downgrading to a last-resort drug with other militaries, should have set alarm bells ringing. It is just unbelievable. Now that there are proven and safer alternatives, I see no reason that Lariam should continue to be the anti-malarial drug of choice for our Defence Forces. Instead it should be only used as a last resort, for those unable to tolerate any of the alternatives. I am also disturbed by reports from members of the Defence Forces who have stated they were not screened properly for this drug and were not told the full facts of the side effects. The State has a duty of care to all of its citizens.

Further to this motion, I hope the Government will ensure that all serving and retired Defence Forces personnel who have been given Lariam, will be provided with proper supports and counselling services to aid their recovery from the side effects.

See this speech in context