Mr. Muiris O'Connor:

Ms O'Neill pointed out that as a member state we are very concerned about the debate on the European health data space and ensuring that none of the proposals makes it any more difficult to co-operate across borders. We are absolutely committed to North-South co-operation and to continuing and deepening health service co-operation between North and South. In fact, Mr. Tierney and Mr. Sinnott on the eHealth side are very closely linked with Mr. Dan West, the CIO in the North. Northern Ireland is of direct interest to us right now. It is rolling out a very ambitious electronic health record programme across the entire province on a trust-by-trust basis. I do not think it encompasses GPs, but all other aspects of the system are included. We are working very closely with the health service there to share lessons learned and to ensure that the work we both do is aligned. Altnagelvin Hospital provides cardiology services and follow-up cancer care to all the people in County Donegal. In that context, there is a need for an exchange of records between Letterkenny and Altnagelvin hospitals. Much of the time, this consists now of a folder that travels with the patient. We want to ensure, and we are committed to ensuring, that the digital health data can move between North and South. In fact, I would think that Northern Ireland remaining close to and aligned with us in terms of data and technical standards emerging from the EU will open the wider European neighbourhood as well. We are very committed to this. It was a good question.