James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I wish to extend my deepest sympathy to the family of the late Savita Halappanavar. It is on the record that we want to have this tragic case fully investigated as quickly as possible and that remains our intention.

I wish to address the situation relating to the Irish Presidency. Ireland's engagement with its European colleagues has been brought into focus by the rapid onset of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union. In just 42 days, Ireland will take over the Presidency from its Cypriot colleagues. Preparations are well under way and work is intensifying at all levels. My Department’s main objective will be to progress the EU legislative agenda. Ireland will be responsible for advancing legislation critically important to promoting public health as well as innovation and research. This is a very important agenda for Ireland as many of the world's top medical devices companies and pharmaceutical companies are located in this country. Europe is losing opportunities to conduct clinical trials and further research and development. It is envisaged that the key legislative proposals for Ireland to progress will be in the areas of clinical trials, medical devices, serious cross-border threats to health, and tobacco.

Two themes, namely, health and well-being, and innovation and research will inform the Presidency health programme. In addition to progressing legislative priorities, the Presidency will hold two high-level conferences in Dublin. The first conference will deal with e-health and will run in parallel with the World of Health IT conference and exhibition and which will coincide with e-health week. The second conference will deal with the future of brain research.

The December EU Council will take place in Brussels on 6 and 7 December 2012. I plan to attend on day 2 when health issues will be discussed. The agenda for the Council will be presented to the committee of permanent representatives on 21 November 2012. Therefore, it is not possible to be absolutely sure of what will be included on the agenda. It is expected that the Cypriot Presidency will outline its achievements in the health area, including: progress made on dossiers on the health for growth programme; serious cross-border threats to health; medical devices; clinical trials; the transparency directive; food intended for infants and young children; and food intended for special medical purposes.

At the December meeting I hope to meet with the new Commissioner, Mr. Tonio Borg, from Malta, if his appointment is confirmed. I also plan to meet ministerial colleagues from the other trio-partners, Lithuania and Greece, and to meet fellow Ministers from other member states. I am very concerned that the tobacco directive be progressed. I will do my utmost to garner support for that measure, notwithstanding the recent changes in the Commission. The Council will provide an opportunity to outline Ireland’s Presidency plans which I have outlined to the committee. Ireland has held the Presidency very successfully on a number of occasions in the past. Ireland will not hold the Presidency for another 14 years so this coming Presidency is crucial. We must aim to make it a good opportunity for the good of our own citizens and for the citizens of the EU in general.

I have had many opportunities to engage with my ministerial counterparts, including most recently at the June Council under the Danish Presidency which I attended. This was a productive meeting. We had a useful orientation debate on the serious cross-border threats to health and a lunchtime discussion on the joint procurement of vaccines.

The European Union is at its most effective when it moves forward, with all member states working together, to deliver results for Europe’s citizens. I am looking forward to the opportunity the Presidency presents to drive forward the EU health agenda.