Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 June 2019
17. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Lariam medical advisory group, the establishment of which was recommended in the 2017 report of the Lariam working group, has been created or has met; and if so, the number of times it has met. [24346/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe establishment of the Lariam Report Implementation Group was undertaken to implement the recommendations of the second report of the Malaria Chemoprophylaxis Working Group established to review, inter alia, issues arising in relation to the use of Lariam, particularly in the context of the current and potential litigation.
The recommendations focus on a number of different areas including planning, training and education/information sharing as well as the establishment of a Medical Advisory Group. This will formalise the provision of on-going expert medical advice, including external expert medical advice, to the Defence Forces in relation to a range of medical matters including malaria chemoprophylaxis.
The Lariam Report Implementation Group has met on a number of occasions and is progressing its work through the formation of a structured plan to implement the recommendations as outlined in the Terms of Reference. These will include planning, training and education/information sharing as well as the establishment of a Medical Advisory Group. The Medical Advisory Group has not been established yet.
Given that there is litigation pending in relation to these matters which is being managed by the State Claims Agency, the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate for me to comment further.
