Jim O'Keeffe
Question:129 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, he has to take advantage of the provisions in the Maastricht Treaty in the public health area.
Written Answers. - Maastricht Treaty.
The new Article in the Treaty relating to public health provides a legal basis for action at Community level to develop and implement co-ordinated programmes at the international level. In agreeing to insert the new Article, the EC has recognised the effectiveness of the regional approach to public health prevention and control programmes and it is my intention that my Department and the agencies under its aegis, play their full part in, and benefit from, this initiative. As soon as the Treaty is ratified, I will be communicating with each health agency in this regard.
As regards my own Department it will be playing a central role in future European public health policy-making through the new High Level Committee on Public Health which was established recently by Commissioner Papandreou. This Committee will:—
— exchange views on all aspects of Community involvement in health matters;
— co-ordinate activities of member states;
— discuss feasible Community activities to give incentive to national measures;
— exchange information on other programmes with health implications.
Through membership of this Committee, my Department will be in a position to influence Community policies and ensure that Ireland's interests are reflected appropriately in such policies under the new co-ordinated framework.
I also intend to ensure that the financial benefits which we have obtained in areas such as medical research, health promotion and the structural funds from Europe will be built upon in the future.