Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 1 May 2001

Vol. 535 No. 1

Written Answers - EU Summits.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

316 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Health and Children if, in respect of commitments made at Lisbon Summit 2000 concerning economic reform in order to make the European Union the most competitive economic area by 2010, he will list the number of measures that have to be undertaken by his Department; the stage at which these measures are; the title and brief description of each measure; when it is expected to have the measure taken or implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11763/01]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin)

The commitments of the Lisbon Summit concerning economic reform do not require any specific measures to be undertaken in areas under the aegis of my Department.

The strategic aims of strengthening employment, economic reform and social cohesion as part of a knowledge-based economy, enunciated at Lisbon, are supported by my Department. In particular, the European Council's views on strengthening co-operation between member states in the areas of modernising social protection and promoting social inclusion are of interest to my Department. In these areas, the Council favours exchange of experiences and best practice through: improved information networks; promotion of social inclusion in member states' health policies; together with targeting of specific population groups for priority actions as indicators for progress. This is very much in keeping with the approach we are taking to the strategic planning of the health services in the preparation of the new health strategy.