Brendan Ryan (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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588. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on the comments made by Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, that Irish soldiers should be given a choice of whether to use the anti-malaria drug Lariam, in particular, in respect of criticisms by a British defence committee of the drug; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17297/16]

Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of the British Defence Committee report, its conclusions and the reported comments of the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association. However, the choice of malaria chemoprophylaxis for use by other armed forces is an internal matter for those forces. It would be inappropriate for me to comment on other States’ policy in this regard. The health and welfare of the men and women of the Irish 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 Medical Officers in the Defence Forces, having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Irish Defence Forces.

The aim of the Defence Forces policy on malaria chemoprophylaxis is to minimise risk to all deployed personnel.  Significant precautions are taken by Irish Defence Forces Medical Officers in assessing the medical suitability of members of our Defence Forces to take any of the anti-malarial medications. It is the policy of the Irish Defence Forces that personnel are individually screened for fitness for service overseas and medical suitability. The objective is to ensure that our military personnel can have effective protection from the very serious risks posed by malaria.

Malaria is a serious disease which killed approximately 438,000 people in 2015, with 90% of deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa as reported by the World Health Organisation. It is a serious threat to any military force operating in the area. Anti-malarial medications, including Lariam, remain in the formulary of medications 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 this highly dangerous disease.