Archive for the ‘Defence’ Category
Clare asks the Minister why Lariam continues to be the first-line drug of choice for Irish Defence Forces serving in Sub-Saharan Africa, given the high risk of serious, permanent neuropsychiatric side-effects being experienced by those who take the drug. Side-effects include depression, anxiety, hallucinations, psychosis, and sleep disturbance. Lariam is a third-line, drug of last resort for US troops serving in the same region, one which is only issued if other anti-malarials aren’t tolerated by an individual for some reason, because of the severity and permanence of its side-effects.
Clare challenged the Minister for Defence on a number of issues, including the deployment of Irish soldiers to the Golan Heights in light of Israel finding and intending to claim oil on territory outside its own; the continuing practice of prescribing Lariam as the preferred anti-malarial to Irish soldiers in Sub-Saharan Africa, something which puts Ireland at odds with prescribing policies in the UK and the US, amongst others; Horizon 2020; and the progress of the review of the fire on board the LÉ Clíona on 29 May 1962. You can read Clare’s questions and his answers below.
To ask the Minister for Defence if he has received the report of the Working Group on the use of Lariam in the Defence Forces; and if he will outline its contents. DEPUTY CLARE DALY.
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Minister for Defence Simon Coveney was up on Tuesday for questions, Clare asked him a few, The suggestion that Irish troops are deployed to Mali was among them as well as a question about import and export of arms with Israel and the Irish Army’s continued use of the controversial drug Larium which can have very serious side effects. See replies below:
To ask the Minister for Defence the merits he envisage in Irish Defence Forces personnel being deployed to Mali to relieve French troops, given the history of that country.
– Deputy Clare Daly.
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