Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Dr. Severoni and his colleagues. I have some knowledge of the collaboration between Cavan-Monaghan mental health services and the WHO, particularly the work that was carried out in the Balkans, particularly Albania, where a model and a template was established for the provision of mental health services. In his concluding remarks, Dr. Severoni asked if Ireland could be a northern European champion on the exchange of best practices among countries with regard to the health issues affecting migrants. It is a good question to pose to us. Dr. Severoni's presentation was very interesting in highlighting to us an issue that may often not be given the attention it deserved.

In the formation of the new EU college, the Home Affairs Directorate General is now Migration and Home Affairs. I presume the WHO regional office has ongoing contact with the EU Commissioner for Health and Consumers. Dr. Severoni referred to the need for collaboration in northern Europe, noting the collaboration already happening in the Mediterranean area. All of the countries in northern Europe with significant immigration are within the European Union. I presume the Council of Ministers configuration with responsibility for health, whatever the title now with the change of directorates, would be useful in that respect. I assume the WHO has ongoing contact with it.

My understanding is the leading relationship between us and the WHO is through the Department of Health in respect of other ongoing health issues and through Irish Aid in the case of developing countries. The significance that we as a country attach to the WHO lies in the fact that it is one of six UN priority partners. This denotes its significance from an Irish perspective.

As to whether the WHO has ongoing contact with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Irish Aid, a unit within that Department; and the Department of Health, the delegates have outlined issues that are extremely important. Perhaps the committee might write to Deputy Sean Sherlock, in his capacity as Minister of State with responsibility for Irish Aid, to suggest he be in a position to meet those in the regional office to hear at first hand its particular suggestions in dealing with these health issues because this country has a very proud tradition of providing significant funding in overseas development aid, despite the economic challenges. Before the State began to give assistance, it was provided in many countries going back many decades by Irish people, both missionaries and lay people. Perhaps the committee might suggest as a useful follow up having a meeting with the Minister of State and his colleagues in the Irish Aid division.

I appreciate the presentation from the regional office and can see why it sought a meeting with the committee because the issues raised cross many sectors. As I said, I have some knowledge of the work done in collaboration with the Cavan-Monaghan mental health services. I commend Ms Margaret Fleming, Mr. Brian Clerking and Mr. Damien Murray on the great commitment they have given to these programmes during the years.