Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2017
368. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the provisions being made by his Department to protect the work of the All-Ireland Cooperative Oncology Research Group group in view of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30993/17]
View answerCancer Trials Ireland (formerly the All-Ireland Cooperative Oncology Research Group) conducts cancer clinical trials in Irish hospitals and currently has over 150 trials in progress. While the vast majority of these trials are carried out in Cancer Trials Research Units in the Republic of Ireland, some trials have participation from research units in the UK, France and Denmark.
The terms of a UK exit from the EU are unknown at this stage as negotiations between EU Member States and the United Kingdom commence. In the short-term, cancer clinical trials are not impacted by uncertainties over Brexit.
The Health Research Board, who part fund Cancer Trials Ireland, is planning an interim review of Cancer Trials Ireland in 2018. This will look at the Irish and international context within which Cancer Trials Ireland can sustain and further develop its portfolio. The potential impacts of Brexit will be considered as part of that review.
