Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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15. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when he expects the malaria chemoprophylaxis working group to finalise its report into the prescribing of Lariam to members of the Defence Forces; the progress of the report to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17161/16]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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The purpose of this question is to ask why Lariam is still being issued to Irish soldiers despite the fact that defence forces in many other countries have banned its use, and to ask when the working group that was set up to look into this matter will report back to the Minister and afterwards to the Dáil.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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A malaria working group was established in January 2011 and reported in April 2013. The group was reconvened in August 2015. The purpose of the group is to review, inter alia, issues arising relating to the use of Lariam, particularly in the context of current and potential litigation. It is to review the Defence Forces' approach to the use of malaria chemoprophylaxis. It is also to ensure that the procedures relating to this continue to be appropriate and in accordance with best medical practice. In addition, the group was tasked with reviewing the use of the drug primaquine as part of the overall medical treatment process for those deployed to malarious areas.

As with the group's original report, the current report is being produced in the context of current and potential litigation and is, therefore, legally privileged. I can confirm that the group is investigating all the various allegations surrounding the use of Lariam and is engaging with experts both nationally and internationally. I understand it hopes to complete the report next month.

The health and welfare of the Defence Forces are a priority for me and the Department, and this informs my approach to the issue of Lariam. While I am anxious to receive the completed report as soon as possible, I want the group to ensure that it provides as comprehensive a report as possible. Once the report is completed, the group will report back to me with its findings.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I do not know whether the Minister of State is fully aware of the dangerous and lasting side effects of Lariam and whether he has met some of the soldiers and former soldiers I met at the weekend. They were able to describe in graphic detail what had happened to them and their colleagues and were also able to point to quite a number of other countries that have declared the drug to be one of last resort. The United States Army Special Forces Command has banned its use. Countries such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Canada have either banned its use or use it as a last resort. I have put many questions to a number of Ministers over the years; I believe the Minister of State is the fourth Minister with whom I have raised this question. Ireland still allows the use of a drug that is highly suspect in terms of its use by Defence Forces personnel travelling overseas to represent this country and do good work.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy knows, malaria is probably one of the most dangerous diseases that anyone serving in sub-Saharan Africa can pick up. Lariam has been prescribed by the Chief Medical Officer, who states that it is the safest drug to prescribe to serving members. I am aware that the former Minister of Defence, Deputy Coveney, met a delegation from the action group that is against the use of Lariam in the past 12 to 18 months. Following the meeting, the group submitted a number of questions, which I am currently replying to. I know that the group has concerns about the use of Lariam but I can assure the Deputy that the Department has taken all safety measures into consideration when prescribing it.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Will the Minister of State confirm that he will meet Action Lariam for Irish Soldiers? At the protest last week, members of the group asked me to ask the Minister of State this question. Can he confirm that Lariam will no longer be issued to our Defence Forces in the near future and update the House on the supports the Department plans to provide to soldiers who have already been harmed by taking Lariam while serving overseas?

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The health and welfare of men and women of the Defence Forces is a priority for me. The choice of medication for overseas deployment, including the use of Lariam, is a medical decision made by the medical officers in the Irish Defence Forces. Having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and individual members of the Defence Forces, Lariam remains the medication prescribed by the medical corps for Defence Forces personnel on appropriate overseas missions to ensure that our military personnel can have effective protection from the very serious risks posed by malaria, which killed approximately 438,000 people in 2015, with 90% of deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, as reported by the World Health Organization. It is a serious threat to any military force operating in the area. There are no plans to withdraw Lariam from the range of anti-malarial medications available to Defence Forces personnel.

The Deputy asked whether I would meet Action Lariam for Irish Soldiers. I have no problem with meeting this group. Unfortunately, I was unavailable to meet its representatives at the weekend, but I sent them correspondence. I will meet the group, as did my predecessor, and listen to its concerns. I must outline my number one priority, which is the safety of the members of the Defences Forces whom we send abroad.