Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
858. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with his counterpart in Northern Ireland on integrating public health on an all-island basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21169/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been, and continues to be, significant engagement and cooperation on public health issues with Minister Swann and between the Chief Medical Officers and the Departments of Health in Ireland and Northern Ireland. In relation to the COVID-19 response, both administrations are seeking to adopt similar approaches, where it is appropriate to do so and on the advice of respective Chief Medical Officers. This approach is underpinned by a Memorandum of Understanding agreed by the Chief Medical Officers in April 2020 to strengthen North South co-operation on the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In November 2020, this overarching agreement was supplemented with a further Memorandum of Understanding in relation to a framework for mutual support for the provision of critical care.
Meetings of the North South Ministerial Council are an important pillar in our regular engagement with Northern Ireland counterparts on public health issues and COVID-19. I met with Minister Swann at the North South Ministerial Council Health and Food Safety Sectoral on Friday 26 March. At this meeting we discussed ongoing collaboration and responses to the COVID-19 pandemic; we were briefed by the Chief Medical Officers on the current public health situation. We also noted the potential for further collaboration on other public health issues including alcohol and drug use and developments in relation to obesity prevention policy in both jurisdictions. We were updated on suicide prevention initiatives including joint working on the Self Harm Registry and the continued collaboration between the Public Health Agency and the National Office for Suicide Prevention in working with the GAA/IRFU/Ulster rugby on health and well-being.
