Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 15 Dec 1999

Vol. 512 No. 7

Written Answers. - Northern Ireland Issues.

Michael D. Higgins

Ceist:

37 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Health and Children when he will meet the Northern Ireland Executive's Minister for Health, Ms Bairbre de Brún; the issues which will be on the agenda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27078/99]

Theresa Ahearn

Ceist:

51 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Health and Children the degree of North-South co-operation in the provision of health services; and the areas in which he envisages co-operation may be enhanced or developed following the establishment of the Northern Ireland Executive. [26669/99]

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

52 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will reform the health care system to mirror the system in Northern Ireland; if he has researched this possibility; and the proposals, if any, he has in this regard. [26690/99]

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

135 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Health and Children the degree of North-South co-operation in the provision of health services; and the areas in which he envisages co-operation may be enhanced or developed following the establishment of the Northern Ireland Executive. [27173/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 51, 52 and 135 together.

Let me say at the outset how pleased I was to take part in the historic inaugural meeting of the North South Ministerial Council on Monday, 13 December. The meeting also afforded me the opportunity to meet my counterpart, Minister Bairbre de Brún, and I look forward to my next meeting with her early in the new year in the context of the council meeting in health sectoral format.

There has been substantial co-operation over many years between the respective health authorities, North and South. Meetings at ministerial level have been taking place since the early 1980s and these, together with meetings at official levels, have afforded the opportunity to exchange information on issues of mutual interest and to discuss policy developments in our respective administrations.

Significant recent policy initiatives have included not only the establishment of the Institute of Public Health and a joint waste management board, but also the development of cancer strategies in both administrations; the furthering of health research, particularly cancer research; and the development in Ireland of a Social Services Inspectorate with considerable input and assistance from our colleagues in Northern Ireland.

A mechanism already exists for collaboration between the Western and Southern Health and Social Services Boards in Northern Ireland and the North Western and North Eastern Health Boards in Ireland known as Co-operation and Working Together – CAWT. CAWT's aim is to improve the health and social well being of their resident populations. Towards achieving this aim, CAWT has explored and identified opportunities for the planning and provision of services. It is intended that this solid basis for cross-Border co-operation will continue under the new administrative arrangements.

The Good Friday Agreement provides for an implementation body in relation to Food Safety to be known as the Food Safety Promotion Board. The membership and the interim management arrangements of the Food Safety Promotion Board were agreed at the inaugural North-South Ministerial meeting on Monday, 13 December 1999. It is appropriate that food safety, which has become of such concern to consumers North and South in recent years, should be the focus of a North-South Implementation Body. Food safety issues, and food-borne illness, do not recognise political borders and many of the issues in food safety are common to both jurisdictions. The board will not only contribute to public health and consumer confidence, but will also serve the economic development of the Irish food sector on an all-island basis.

The Food Safety Promotion Board will provide independent assessment, based on independent scientific advice, of the safety and hygiene of food produced, distributed or marketed in the island of Ireland. The board will draw on the pool of scientific advice and expertise already available North and South. The respective food safety enforcement agencies, North and South, will continue to be responsible for inspection and enforcement in their own jurisdictions and the board will establish and maintain links with these agencies.

In accordance with paragraphs 8 and 9(i) of Strand Two of the Good Friday Agreement, the health area is one of the areas agreed for co-operation through the mechanism of existing bodies in each separate jurisdiction. A number of health areas have already been identified for priority examination by the North-South Ministerial Council meeting in health sectoral format. These are accident and emergency planning; co-operation on high technology equipment; cancer research; and health promotion. It will be open to the North-South Ministerial Council, by agreement of both sides, to pursue other matters in due course.