Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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15. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he has met representatives of the group, Action Lariam for Irish Soldiers, or if he will confirm the date when he will be meeting the group. [33875/16]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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In a previous debate with me on Lariam, the Minister of State said he had no problem meeting one of the groups that has been active on this matter, Action Lariam for Irish Soldiers. Has he met representatives of that group and if not, when can he meet them?

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I am advised that former Ministers for Defence have met representatives of the group previously. Mr. Alan Shatter met representatives of the group on 26 May 2011 and on 3 February 2012. The Minister, Deputy Coveney, met representatives of the group on 14 January, 2016.

In late June 2016, I indicated to the group that I am open to meeting it. The group responded indicating that prior to any meeting it was seeking responses to numerous questions which it had raised at its meeting with the former Minister for Defence, the Minister, Deputy Coveney, in January 2016. The group was provided with the relevant response and it subsequently indicated that it was seeking a meeting date at some time after the Dáil summer recess. I have asked my officials to follow up to arrange a suitable date and time for a meeting.

The Deputy will be aware of ongoing litigation in respect of the use of Lariam in the Defence Forces, to which the Minister for Defence is the defendant. The State Claims Agency, SCA, is managing these claims on behalf of my Department. The SCA has advised that 51 claims have been made by current or former members of the Defence Forces who allege personal injury as a consequence of their consumption of Lariam. Proceedings have been served in 38 of these cases. The State Claims Agency advised that for various reasons seven individuals did not progress their cases which were discontinued and are now statute barred. Due to this ongoing litigation I will be limited in terms of what can be discussed at any meeting with the group. This has been indicated to the group by my officials.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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I thank the Minister of State for the response. Hopefully, he will be able to meet the group soon even with the restrictions of possible litigation. It was interesting that the note we got on the grouping of questions listed the branch in question as "litigation branch". I had not seen that previously.

As the Minister of State said, representatives of the group, Action Lariam for Irish Soldiers, have met former Ministers. However, things are moving very quickly internationally. Since the group met the former Minister, Deputy Coveney, a former chief of staff of the British Army has indicated an apology to the members who served under him. In addition the Canadian House of Commons is holding hearings on the effects of Lariam. One of the four demands of the campaign is the immediate cessation of the issuing of Lariam and generic drugs to Irish soldiers serving in theatre at present. Hopefully the Minister of State will be able to give greater consideration to that in the coming weeks.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I have no issue with meeting representatives of the group. They had a protest during the summer at which they wanted to give me some correspondence. Unfortunately, it was on a Saturday and as I had other commitments, I was unable to meet them. I understand there was a briefing here in the Houses of the Oireachtas regarding the Lariam group. I sent a representative from my office to the meeting and he advised me of the issues raised on the day.

Regarding Lariam, my first priority and that of the Department and the Defence Forces is the welfare and health of the men and women of the Defence Forces, who are serving in countries where malaria is prevalent. As the Deputy understands, malaria is a very serious disease.

I have absolutely no issue in meeting the group but the Deputy will understand I will be limited in what I can add to the conversation. I will listen to its concerns and it is only right and proper that, as Minister of State with responsibility for defence, I do so. I and the Defence Forces rely on the medical evidence from the chief medical officer of the Defence Forces, and on his knowledge and expertise, to make the decisions.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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The group gave an interesting briefing with harrowing stories. I accept that Minister of State's number one priority is the welfare of the Irish soldiers who are in the theatre, as the leaflet puts it. The Minister of State was in Mali recently. Perhaps he will explain if the Irish soldiers who are operating in Mali currently are receiving Lariam. He might also disclose if he had to take Lariam when he was travelling out there.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Yes, the personnel serving in Mali now are taking Lariam, but for my short visit, I was prescribed Malarone which is the more suitable drug for a very short visit. I had to take the medication for three to four days before I travelled to Mali, during my stay in Mali and for a further seven to ten days after my trip, along with other prescribed medications I was advised of - injections and other medication. That is what I had to go through, based on the expert advice I received. There is other expert advice given for the members who are serving out there currently. I will rely on that expert advice.