Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:1091. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on Ireland's membership of a treaty (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47616/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 7 November 2023
Ceisteanna (1091)
Freagraí scríofa
I can advise the deputy that the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the global status quo in terms of pandemic preparedness and response was not adequate and needs revision and as such, Ireland strongly supports a multilateral approach to global health issues with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in a central leadership role.
On 1 December 2021, the members of the World Health Organisation reached consensus to begin the process to negotiate a convention, agreement, or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, commonly known as the Pandemic Treaty. Ireland supports this WHO-led process to negotiate a binding legal instrument on pandemic preparedness and response. The aim of such a Pandemic Agreement is to protect public health and to help save lives in the event of future pandemics.
An Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) was established and met for the first time on 24 February 2022. The INB has met six times to date and is due to meet again in November and December to progress work on drafting the agreement. A progress report was delivered to the 76th World Health Assembly in May 2023, and it is anticipated that the instrument will be adopted at the 77th World Health Assembly in May 2024.
Ireland has been participating in the negotiation process along with EU Member States and is also, along with a majority of EU Member States, part of the Group of Friends of the Treaty. It should be noted that while certain health matters are within the competency of EU Member States, other health matters are within the competency of the EU itself. The Group of Friends of the Treaty strongly supports an agreement that would foster an all-of-government and all-of-society approach, strengthening national, regional, and global capacities and resilience to future pandemics.
Ireland is advocating for an ambitious, fair, and implementable agreement to protect global public health through better pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
Officials in my department are leading coordination on Ireland’s position in respect of proposals for the WHO Pandemic Treaty. My officials are engaging and will continue to engage with relevant Government Departments, Ireland's Permanent Representation to the UN in Geneva, EU partners and relevant Non-Governmental Organisations on this matter.