Vol. 522 No. 3
21 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the contacts, if any, he has had, or plans to have, with his opposite number in the newly formed Northern Executive to maximise the co-operation in relation to the provision of services between Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal, and Altnagalvin Hospital, County Derry, in view of the large common catchment that both serve; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17441/00]
In accordance with the agreed arrangements for the operation of the North South Ministerial Council, meetings of the Council in sectoral format are due to take place on a quarterly basis. The first sectoral meeting on food safety promotion and health sectors was held in Belfast in February 2000. The second such sectoral meeting is scheduled for 4 July in Dublin. I look forward to meeting again with Minister de Brún next week when we will review progress and decide future direction of the issues on our joint agenda.
Among the areas in which the North South Ministerial Council aims to strengthen co-operation are those of accident and emergency planning and planning for major emergencies. There is already a considerable degree of co-operation between the health authorities on both sides of the Border through the Co-operation and Working Together, CAWT, organisation. Discussions have taken place between my Department and the Department of Health, Personal Social Services and Public Safety with a view to identifying the scope for further co-operation. On the basis of the initial discussions, work is now under way to identify specific areas for action and, in this context, the question of closer co-operation in the provision of hospital services will be considered in consultation with the North Western Health Board and the relevant health authorities in Northern Ireland.
