Bernard Allen
Question:144 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the implications for public health policy arising from the Maastricht Treaty.
Written Answers. - Public Health Policy.
The inclusion of a new Article on public health in the draft Treaty on European Union is a significant development which has been pursued with success by my Department at European level. The proposed new Article will provide much needed competence on public health at EC level particularly as the Treaty of Rome at present contains no formal provision in regard to public health. Under a new Treaty there will be a specific mandate for action and a more co-ordinated approach to public health policy at EC level. Community action will be directed towards the protection of health and the prevention of major diseases including cardiovascular disease, cancers, drug dependence, AIDS and alcohol abuse.
It is widely recognised that health protection and health promotion policies of necessity impact on areas outside the health area including environment, trade and industry. At this country's instigation that draft Treaty recognises such realities and provides that health protection requirements shall form a constituent part of the Community's other policies.
Other areas which will require a more co-ordinated approach at EC level and will be facilitated by the proposed public health competence include food additives, cosmetics, pharmaceutical products, tobacco products and narcotic and psychotropic substances.
The draft Article also provides for incentive measures to contribute to the achievement of the public health objectives and specific emphasis will be given to education, information and research. In order to facilitate the implementation of the new Article Commissioner Papandreau has established a High Level Committee on Public Health which comprises Departmental Secretaries of Health Departments in all member States. The objective of the group which will meet again later this month is to put in place an on-going and co-ordinated relationship on public health matters between the Commission and the Council of Ministers. Such structure facilitates the achievement of the objectives of the new Treaty and represent important developments in public health matters at European level.
This country will continue to play an important role in the co-ordination and development of public health policy at EC level and a new Treaty will provide additional support and impetus for such efforts.