Jim O'Keeffe
Question:181 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland supports the bid from Taiwan for observer status in the World Health Organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9445/02]
Written Answers. - Diplomatic Representation.
Currently, Ireland is not a member of the executive board of the World Health Organisation, WHO. The executive board comprises 32 persons technically qualified in the field of health who serve as Government representatives for a three year term. There are 191 member states in the WHO. I understand that in January 2002 Guatemala sought to have the executive board of WHO place the issue of Taiwanese membership on the agenda for the forthcoming WHO assembly session, to be held in May 2002. The proposal was rejected by a roll call vote in which 20 members voted against, four in favour, with eight abstentions. The EU members of the executive board, Belgium, Italy, Sweden and the UK, abstained in this vote.