I propose to take Questions Nos. 451 and 452 together.
The result of the referendum means that the UK electorate have declared their wish to leave the EU. It is important to be clear that the UK has not yet left the EU. Until it formally withdraws from the Union, the UK remains a full Member, with all of its existing rights and obligations. People can be assured that there will be no immediate changes in the area of health as a consequence of the UK’s decision to leave the EU. Cross-border services and health cooperation with Northern Ireland will not be affected in the immediate term by the UK’s decision to leave the EU.
The terms of a British exit from the EU are unknown at this stage. It is expected to take a minimum of two years of negotiations between all EU member states, including Ireland, to agree a new arrangement between the UK and the EU, and the Department of Health will be fully involved in these negotiations.
Ensuring that there is minimum disruption in the area of health and that essential services are maintained will be our key priority.
The North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) Plenary took place on Monday 4 July. This provided an important opportunity for an initial strategic discussion between the Government and the NI Executive on the impact of the recent UK referendum.
In order to optimise joint planning and engagement on key issues arising following the UK referendum result, the NSMC agreed to work together to ensure that Northern Ireland’s interests are protected and advanced and the benefits of North/South co-operation are fully recognised in any new arrangements which emerge as regards the United Kingdom’s future relationship with the European Union.
NSMC ministerial sectoral meetings will provide an important forum for consideration of the strategic and cross-cutting issues arising from the UK referendum. The next NSMC Health and Food Safety ministerial sectoral meeting is scheduled to take place in autumn 2016.
In advance of this, my Department will build on initial work completed to undertake a full audit of the possible impacts, risks, opportunities and contingencies arising over the longer term, in the phases preceding and following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.
This work will be conducted by a sub-committee of the Management Board, which was set up in advance of the UK referendum to examine the potential consequences of a UK decision to leave the EU on healthcare in Ireland and for Irish citizens.
Regular contact with counterparts at political and official level will be maintained throughout this process.
Further discussion on the implications of the referendum result will take place at the next NSMC Plenary, which takes place in Armagh in November.
