Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Malaria is a very serious disease which can cause severe complications and death. Tá sé tomhaiste ag an Eagraíocht Dhomhanda Sláinte go gcailltear thart ar 1 milliún duine ón galar seo san Afraic amháin gach bliain. Feictear ar mhaláire i gcónaí mar ghalar an-dainséarach d'fhórsaí míleata sna háiteanna ina bhfuil sí forleathan. According to the World Health Organization, WHO, in 2015 there were 91 countries and areas with ongoing malaria transmission.

Is féidir an mhaláire a leigheas agus is féidir cosc a chur ar tholgadh na málaire. Is dócha go bhfuil go leor réitithe do sin. It is in this context that no one can doubt the importance of safeguarding Defence Forces personnel against malaria and protecting them in the best possible way.

Lariam which contains the active ingredient mefloquine, has been associated with psychosis, suicidal thoughts, depression and hallucinations. These are very serious conditions that have long-term implications for family and loved ones also. The drug has been administered to Irish soldiers serving in Liberia, Chad and sub-Saharan Africa since 1994. Warnings on the use of Lariam go back to as early as 1996 when the UK Committee on Safety of Medicines issued a warning on the side effects of Lariam. In 2015, Roche Products announced it was ceasing production of the drug. I commend my colleague, Deputy Ó Snodaigh, and Wives and Partners of Defence Forces Ireland, WPDF, on their efforts on this issue and especially Deputy Ó Snodaigh on tabling the motion, which calls in the Government to ban Lariam. In September 2016 in advance of this debate Deputy Ó Snodaigh called on the Government to ban Lariam, adopt a programme of care, provide the supports to affected military personnel in the form of medical cards and other forms of compensation. All these measures should be considered.

Following on from tonight's debate on the motion, we would ask the Government to provide for the carrying out of toxicology tests on users, make the results public and provide a treatment programme for those who require it. Those who served in years gone by must also be given the assistance they require, to ensure the best quality of life as possible. This should be forthcoming from the State. Sinn Féin would also ask that the Government establishes an independent inquiry to look in detail at Lariam and its effects, a practice which has been carried out in other jurisdictions. In Britain, 1,000 former military personnel have required psychiatric treatment as a result of the after-effects of taking Lariam. The fact that Lariam has been withdrawn from sale to the general public in Ireland should have alerted the Minister of State to make a safer anti-malaria drug available for non-commissioned soldiers in the Army. It is vitally important to remember that Lariam was not the only option; other options were outlined by other Deputies. Deputy Clare Daly rebutted - quite effectively - one of the excuses used by the Minister of State and the Department for not using one of the products doxycycline, the excuse being that it had to be taken on a daily basis. There are many other aspects in the context of military logistics that I am sure also require that level of attention.

There is also the element of respect to be considered. Deputy Buckley, rightly, raised the issue of members of the Defence Forces who are really on the breadline. New members of the Defence Forces earn just €200 per week increasing to €350 per week in their second year. I know guys who joined the Defence Forces three or four years ago, fellas my own age, and they and many others are talking about leaving. It just does not pay. They are joining at the age of 22 and 23 and leaving when they reach the age of 28 or 29. It is simply not a viable career for people. The lack of respect that is shown to the Defence Forces in relation to pay is also reflected in the area under discussion now. I commend Deputy Ó Snodaigh on the motion and I commend all the Deputies who are supporting it. I call on the Government to recognise the reality and the threat this drug poses to the men and women of the Defence Forces and to ensure its discontinuation.

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