Common food safety and health issues on the island of Ireland are being pursued in a variety of important new areas, a North-South Ministerial Council meeting in Dublin was told yesterday.
Progress reports were made on agreed priority strategies covering accident and emergency services, planning for major emergencies, co-operation on hi-tech equipment and cancer research promotion.
The council endorsed continuing cross-Border co-operation in the hospital services - overseen by the North-South Regional Hospital Services Group, established in 2000. It noted in particular the co-operation on identifying the development potential for organ transplant services "on an all-island basis" - and on the regular exchange of information during current reviews of renal services, North and South.
The Government was represented by the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, and Minister of State Dr Tom Martin. Ms Bairbre de Brún, Minister of Health, represented the Northern Ireland Executive, along with Mr James Leslie, Minister in the Office of the First Minister.