Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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683. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to his decision to continue the use of Lariam for Defence Forces personnel serving in sub-Saharan Africa, if he will publish the medical advice that informed his decision on the matter; his views on continued use of Lariam, considering that it has been widely discredited in view of its negative psychological effects, which have been acknowledged by the UK Ministry of Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40063/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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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 Organization. It is a serious threat to any military force operating in the area.

There are three anti-malarial drugs in use by the Defence Forces, namely Lariam (mefloquine), Malarone and Doxycycline. The choice of medication 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. That position has not changed

The Director Medical Branch provides military medical advice to the Chief of Staff and the General Staff and is responsible for clinical governance and the development of clinical policy, medical education and training in the Defence Forces. The Defence Forces Director Medical Branch issues instructions on matters of medical policy including the use of malaria prophylaxis. This has already been outlined by me in my response to Questions Nos 683 and 684 of 18^thOctober 2016.

Significant precautions are taken by 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 Defence Forces that personnel are individually screened for fitness for service overseas and medical suitability. I am advised that Mefloquine is listed by the World Health Organization in its International Travel and Health Handbook as one of the anti-malarial drugs for use as prophylaxis. The use of and information on medications is kept under ongoing review.

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 State’s policy in this regard.

The health and welfare of the men and women of the Defence Forces is a high priority for me and the Defence Forces.