Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 November 2016
458. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if a Brexit sub-committee has been established in his Department; if so, when the sub-committee was convened; the number of times the sub-committee has met; the number of members on the sub-committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36206/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraA sub-committee of the Department of Health Management Board 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. This sub-committee is chaired at senior level within the Department and has met four times since it was established. It is made up of representatives from across the Department of Health and also includes representation from the HSE at National Director level. In this way, work on Brexit-related issues is mainstreamed throughout the Department and well coordinated with the HSE. Representatives of the Management Board sub-committee participate fully in the Senior Officials Group on EU Affairs and the groups coordinated centrally by the Department of the Taoiseach which support the Cabinet Committee on Brexit, including the Interdepartmental Group on EU/UK Affairs, and as appropriate the IDG's workgroups.
In addition to the Management Board sub-committee, an Interdepartmental/Interagency Group has been established to prepare a bid for the relocation of the European Medicines Agency on foot of a Government Decision at the end of October. The Government believes that Ireland would be a very suitable location and that a move to Dublin would minimise the disruption to the business of the EMA, thus ensuring continued protection of EU citizens and providing reassurance to the industries which it regulates. The Group is chaired by the Department of Health and includes representatives from the Departments of the Taoiseach, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Agriculture, Food and Marine, and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, as well as the Health Products Regulatory Authority, Health Research Board, IDA Ireland and Science Foundation Ireland. The first meeting of the Group took place on 8 November.
The implications of the UK referendum throughout the island of Ireland were discussed at the North South Ministerial Council health sectoral meeting held on 9 November and the plenary meeting held on 18 November. Ongoing contact at political and official level will be maintained over the period ahead.
