Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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159. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the reconvened malaria chemoprophylaxis working group has reported back to him; if he will publish this report if completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15980/18]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The Report of the Working Group on Malaria Chemoprophylaxis has been completed and provided to me.

The report of the Working Group was prepared in the context of current and potential litigation and is therefore legally privileged and will not be published.

The Working Group has made a total of twelve recommendations, which are intended to ensure that the Defence Forces medical policies and practices continually develop in light of best practice. I have accepted these recommendations in principle whilst recognising that certain of these recommendations will need to be further developed to allow for their implementation.

Whilst acknowledging that the Report is legally privileged in the context of litigation, I can confirm that many of its recommendations focus on areas including planning, training and education/information sharing as well as the establishment of a Medical Advisory Group.

As I already indicated, proposals will be further developed in relation to the establishment of this new Medical Advisory Group. This will formalise the provision of on-going expert advice, including external expert medical advice, to the Defence Forces in relation to a range of medical matters including malaria chemoprophylaxis.  

I wish to assure the Deputy that the heath and welfare of the men and women of the Defence Forces is a key priority for me and for the Military Authorities.