Defence Forces

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 9 April 2024

Tuesday, 9 April 2024

Ceisteanna (133)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

133. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 13 of 28 February 2024, if he will report on the work of the Implementation Group established to implement the 12 recommendations intended to ensure that the Defence Forces medical policies and practices continually develop in light of best practice; the status of each of the 12 recommendations in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13645/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Defence (Deputy Micheál Martin)

A Working Group on the use of malaria chemoprophylaxis in the Defence Forces presented its report and recommendations to the Minister with Responsibility for Defence in October 2017. A further working group was established with a view to examining and implementing these recommendations.

In January 2020, the Minister with Responsibility for Defence was informed by the military authorities that the instructions, issued by the Director of the Medical Branch of the Defence Forces, had been amended to provide for options on the specific malaria chemoprophylaxis to be used for deployments to sub-Saharan Africa.

As the Working Group report and its recommendations were prepared in the context of current litigation, they are legally privileged, and it would be inappropriate to comment further. The military authorities have advised that Defence Forces policy on the use of malaria chemoprophylaxis is fully aligned with UN and World Health Organisation guidelines.