Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 28 Oct 1992

Vol. 424 No. 5

Written Answers. - AIDS Screening of Overseas Army Personnel.

Gerry O'Sullivan

Ceist:

41 Mr. G. O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Defence if he intends to have Irish troops screened for AIDS prior to travelling on overseas duties; and the precautions, if any, which are taken in respect of field transfusions in the event of injury sustained by Army personnel.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Wilson)

I am advised that it is not considered necessary to screen members of the Permanent Defence Force for AIDS prior to departure for overseas duty. HIV testing could be introduced should it become necessary to do so.

All blood supplied by the UNIFIL hospital in Naqoura is screened for the HIV virus before being used as is blood used in all hospitals in Israel to which Irish personnel may be transferred. Other blood products are purchased from Europe where the producer guarantees absence of HIV contamination.

Medical officers of the 72nd Infantry Battalion which have just taken up duty in Lebanon have been equipped with a HIV test kit. In the unlikely event of a field blood transfusion being necessary a medical officer will be in a position to test the donor prior to transfusion.