Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
131. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the proposals being considered to intensify co-operation on an all-Ireland basis in relation to the introduction and implementation of restrictions such as those provided for in the National Framework for Living with Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33479/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been significant engagement between the Ministers for Health, the Chief Medical Officers in Ireland and Northern Ireland throughout this pandemic.
All parties recognise that, in terms of public health measures in both jurisdictions, it is of utmost importance to maintain strong North-South collaborative arrangements. A Memorandum of Understanding was formally agreed by the Chief Medical Officers of my Department and the Department of Health in Northern Ireland in April 2020 to strengthen North South co-operation on the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The MOU ensures timely and responsive communications and decisions in a fast-moving environment and facilitates greater co-operation on areas such as: modelling and data sharing; public health guidance and messaging; testing and contact tracing approaches; development of tracing apps; coordination across health services; and travel measures.
The MOU was noted at the twenty-fourth Plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in Dublin Castle on the 31 July 2020, where the close and productive cooperation that has taken place between Ministers, Chief Medical Officers and health administrations, North and South, to deliver an effective public health response was welcomed.
On 25 September, the Chief Medical Officers for Ireland and Northern Ireland published a joint statement encouraging continued and enhanced cooperation between the public health agencies in each jurisdiction in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Additional, I chaired a Health and Food Safety meeting of the NSMC on 2 October which was attended by Minister Swann and the respective CMOs.
