Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 March 2022
397. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a response will issue to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); his views on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13751/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I outlined in my address to the World Health Assembly Special Session in November last year, Ireland strongly supports a multilateral approach to global health issues with the WHO in a central leadership role.The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the global status quo in terms of pandemic preparedness and response is not acceptable. Therefore, Ireland supports the WHO led process to negotiate a binding legal instrument on pandemic preparedness and response.The EU is a leading proponent of this process and Ireland, along with a majority of EU Member States, is part of the Group of Friends of the Treaty. Officials in my Department, working with Ireland's Permanent Representation to the UN in Geneva, are engaging with the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body which met for the first time in February.
As the proposed instrument on pandemic preparedness and response is currently in the very early stages of negotiation, it is not possible at this time to determine if the instrument will contain provisions that have any of the legal ramifications outlined, nor has it been determined what form the instrument shall take.
The requirements of the Irish Constitution will, of course, be respected in Ireland’s position towards the negotiations and my Department will engage with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to any concerns that may arise in this regard.
