Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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268. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position regarding the appropriateness of claims for disability pension by Defence Forces veterans on the grounds of neurological damage caused by Mefloquine being medically assessed by an ophthalmologist and a general practitioner rather than an expert in the relevant field; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26310/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Army Pensions Board is an independent statutory body established under the Army Pensions Acts 1923 to 1980. Its principal function is to investigate applications for pensions, allowances and gratuities under the Acts and to report to the Minister thereon.

The Acts specify that the Board shall consist of a chairman and two ordinary members. The two ordinary members must be qualified medical practitioners of whom one must be an officer of the Army Medical Corps. The chairman and the non-military ordinary member are appointed by the Minister for Defence with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The Army Medical Corps ordinary member is appointed by the Minister for Defence on the recommendation of the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces.

The Minister may make rules regulating the functions and procedures of the Army Pensions Board, including prescribing the manner in which every such application be investigated. The Board can, on a case by case basis, decide to seek additional medical opinion if this is considered necessary.