Vol. 534 No. 5
89 Mr. Wall asked the Minister for Defence when a former member of the Defence Forces (details supplied) who served in Bosnia between April and December 1996 will be contacted for medical screening arising from concerns with regard to possible exposure to depleted uranium weapons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11146/01]
As a result of recent public concern regarding possible environmental and health risks relating to the use of depleted uranium, DU, weapons in the Balkans, the Defence Forces have put in place a medical screening programme for all Irish troops who have served or are serving in the Balkan region as well as personnel who served as military observers in Kuwait following the Gulf War. All personnel, including those who have retired, are being called to the various brigade centres to undergo the screening and the process is ongoing.
The military authorities have advised that a copy of a notification calling all former members of the Defence Forces who served in the Balkans for medical screening was forwarded to this former member of the Defence Forces at his last known address held on record at Defence Forces headquarters. To date no reply has been received from the person in question. In the event that this person has moved residence since leaving the Defence Forces, he can contact the brigade adjutant, Eastern Brigade, Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines in Dublin with details of his new address and a further notification will be sent to him immediately with particulars regarding the medical screening.
