Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 September 2020
102. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the engagement he is undertaking with his Northern Ireland counterpart to intensify an all-Ireland approach to tackling Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23689/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been significant engagement between Irish and Northern Ireland health authorities throughout this pandemic. There has been, and will continue to be, engagement at official level at least weekly to discuss issues of common interest, and in particular policies on international travel and public health advice. These interactions, as appropriate, involve the Ministers for Health, Chief Medical Officers and other senior officials from the respective Departments of Health. Minister Swann and I have met on two occasions to date.
Maintaining strong North-South collaboration is important in these circumstances. Discussions continue to take place on fostering common approaches where possible.
A Memorandum of Understanding was formally agreed by the Chief Medical Officers of the Department of Health and the Department of Health in Northern Ireland in April to strengthen North South co-operation on the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Further, there have been regular Covid-19 trilateral coordination meetings between the Irish Government, the UK Government and the Northern Ireland Executive.
