Pat Cox
Question:66 Mr. Cox asked the Minister for Health if there are initiatives planned by his Department for cross-Border co-operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Cross-Border Co-operation.
Regular meetings take place at Ministerial level to discuss North/South co-operation in the health area and in this regard I met Lord Arran, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Northern Ireland Office with responsibility for Health, in Dublin on 12 November last when we both spoke at the opening of a conference on Countering Age Discrimination which was held in the context of the European year of Older People and of Solidarity Between Generations. We also reviewed the general position in relation to North/South co-operation in the health area which we are both anxious to encourage. This meeting was helpful and constructive.
Regular meetings also take place between officials of my Department and officials of the Department of Health and Social Services in the North and between officials of health boards and their Northern counterparts.