THE DEPARTMENT of Defence has made provision for almost €6 million to deal with compensation claims from soldiers this year including exposure to a controversial anti-malaria drug.
Internal departmental documents show that officials expect to spend 40 per cent more this year on dealing with litigation such as personal injury claims and administrative legal proceedings.
In addition, the department says it is addressing “emerging issues” such as alleged injuries linked to the use of the malaria drug Lariam and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Officials are aware of at least 10 cases where soldiers claim they developed serious side effects as a consequence of taking the drug, such as depression, anxiety, suicidal tendencies or paranoia.
Some legal firms are advising members of the Defence Forces who served in Chad or the Central African Republic that they may be entitled to compensation if they have developed symptoms.
Soldiers must initiate a claim within two years of becoming aware of any side effects.
Lariam is authorised for use by the Irish Medicines Board. The department has said that while some risks associated with its use were highlighted in drug safety bulletins in 1996 and 2003, the Irish Medicines Board remained of the view that the benefit-risk profile for the product remained acceptable.
The department says it has taken a number of safeguards to protect soldiers such as screening all personnel who received the drug for medical suitability. This automatically rules out soldiers from overseas service who have certain conditions such as depression, anxiety and neuro-degenerative disorders.
These conditions are more likely to precipitate serious adverse reactions to Lariam. Pregnant women are also excluded.
On the question of other litigation cases, these tend to be three types, according to internal documents.
They include: compensation for injuries arising from traffic accidents; other settlements from personal injury claims; and administrative law cases in areas such as promotion and disciplinary action.
Last year the department spent €4.1 million on 391 claims.
Of this, €2.4 million involved awards or settlements while the remainder related to legal costs and fees.
Other documents show that the postponed decentralisation plan is causing “serious difficulties” in organising the Defence Forces as its headquarters are now spread across six different locations.
Under the scheme 410 military personnel were scheduled to decentralise to the Curragh, Co Kildare. Senior officials said the postponed plan to relocate its headquarters to the Curragh means staff are based across Galway, Dublin and other locations.
Documents also indicate that the Defence Forces are examining the possibility of selling some military training lands. The department has a portfolio of 20,000 acres of land, mainly at the Curragh, Glen of Imaal, Co Wicklow and Kilworth Camp, Co Cork.