I propose to take Questions Nos. 47 to 49, inclusive, together.
All personnel, of the Irish Defence Forces, whether prescribed Mefloquine or not, who have been deployed on an overseas mission, are subjected to a screening repatriation medical examination on mission completion. Depending on the findings at this repatriation medical examination, an individual member of the Defence Forces may be referred for further more specialised investigations which are carried out by an appropriately qualified medical specialist.
Since 2001, Irish Defence Forces’ personnel have completed approximately 7,000 tours of duty in Malaria-prone areas. It should be borne in mind that an individual may complete a number of such tours during their service. Information in relation to the specific medication prescribed to each individual and any subsequent follow-up medical referrals are retained in an individual’s medical file. The Defence Forces’ management systems are not designed to collate the information requested by the Deputy from individual files.
I am satisfied that it has always been the policy of the Irish Defence Forces Medical Corps to follow best practice with regard to the practice of medicine in the Defence Forces and in relation to medications and manufacturer’s guidelines on their prescribing and dispensing.