Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 November 2012
299. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date in implementing and ratifying the national environmental health action plan relating to environmental health here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49337/12]
View answerThe purpose of a National Environment and Health Action Plan (NEHAP) is to address environmental impacts on population health. NEHAP is an evolving framework which adopts a comprehensive, holistic and intersectoral approach to the formulation and implementation of environmental health policy at national level on an on going basis.
Many of the environmental factors affecting human health are being addressed by a variety of sectoral initiatives, plans and programmes. Examples of organisations involved in these programmes include the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in relation food safety and local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency & the Health Service Executive in relation to drinking water quality.
Many of the elements relevant to any NEHAP including those factors impacting on population health and the environment will inform the forthcoming Health and Wellbeing Framework. Partnership and effective co-operation and collaboration between the health sector and other areas of public and private society, including environment, food safety, housing and industry will be integral to the implementation of this Framework.
