Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 9 May 1991

Vol. 408 No. 2

Written Answers - Cross-Border Health Talks.

Bernard Allen

Ceist:

121 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on his recent discussions with his counterparts from Northern Ireland on cross-Border health affairs which were held under the auspices of the Anglo Irish Conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Health (Dr. O'Hanlon)

I met my counterpart, Mr. Jeremy Hanley, MP, Northern Ireland Minister with responsibility for Health, on the occasion of the Anglo-Irish Intergovernmental Conference on 9 April last.

During the course of our meeting we discussed the scope for further development of the present arrangements for co-operation in the provision of highly specialised treatments on an island-wide basis, co-operation on European initiatives and co-operation in the procurement of equipment and supplies.

I am pleased to record that existing well established and wide-ranging co-operation between the two Health Departments and their respective health services in areas such as health promotion, cancer registration, emergency planning and dental research was commented on favourably by the Conference.

Significant initiatives in this area over the last year, for instance, have included an overlapping campaign to encourage the uptake of measles, mumps and rubella vaccination, a "Lifewise" campaign run by the Mid-Western Health Board which was based on a similar initiative in Northern Ireland and the provision of training in University College, Cork for Northern Ireland personnel involved in a survey of child dental health.

Co-operation at all levels in the health area is a process which leads to important benefits to both sides and it is my intention to encourage and develop it.