Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Let me state the reason. Perhaps Senator Craughwell will listen for a second. Where are the biggest threats? Where is the biggest threat of a terrorist attack? It is in the greater Dublin area. It is important that if there is a terrorist attack in Dublin, members of the Defence Forces know the geography and exactly with what they are dealing. There are challenges there about people having to travel to do barrack duty. I recognise that and I have spoken to the general staff about it. We are trying to fix it, but it will not be done overnight. We could pull people back from overseas but I have no doubt that if we did, Senator Craughwell would jump up and down about that too. It is hard to win in some people's eyes.

The issue of Lariam was raised. I receive advice from the Defence Forces. I have asked them to identify the most effective medication which is suitable for members serving in sub-Saharan Africa and I have been told that it is Lariam. In 2015, some 438,000 people lost their lives to malarial disease. This is advice I have been given by the Defence Forces through its medical corps.

Senator Craughwell spoke about EOD call outs. I cannot account that we have never responded to an EOD call out. We have challenges in that area, which is one of the reasons direct entry or re-entry will be sought to mitigate the issues there. The Senator also asked about ships' crews. I hope he recognises that I cannot micromanage the organisation. This is the first time I have heard of one cook or two cooks going out where there should be three. If things like that are brought to my attention, I will be able to address them.