Sinn Féin’s spokesperson on Defence, Seán Crowe TD, has welcomed the announcement that the Minister for Defence, Simon Coveney, has agreed to meet the Action Lariam for Irish Soldiers Group.

Minister Coveney has confirmed that he will meet the group, who are campaigning against the use of the anti-malarial drug, after Deputy Crowe raised the request with the Minister during Parliamentary Questions (PQs) in the Dáil.

Deputy Crowe said:

“On 11 November I attended a vigil in Merrion Square in support of serving and former Defence Forces members who claim to have been negatively affected after taking Lariam.

“The moving vigil was organised by the Action Lariam for Irish Soldiers Group and they requested a meeting with Minister Coveney.

“I raised their request in a PQ with Minister Coveney in the Dáil and was happy to hear today that he will meet the group.

“This group have been campaigning for years on this issue. They feel completely wronged and let down, and they complain that they are getting no help or support from the Government or the Department of Defence. They talk of hitting a wall of silence when it comes to their concerns on Lariam.

“I hope this proposed meeting will lead to a radical and more positive change of procedures in the Defence Forces and that it will assist those members of the Action Lariam for Irish Soldiers Group who urgently need their full support.”

ENDS