Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

We need to approach the matter in an extremely delicate way.

I wish to comment on the need to be positive. Today some people from Northern Ireland are visiting the Oireachtas to discuss matters relating to health. That is a welcome development. This is a matter on which a great deal of progress has been made. Yesterday was International Rare Disease Day. The authorities both here and in Northern Ireland can work together on an all-island basis. It is important that we continue to encourage the sharing of services and information. The process relating to such sharing is welcome and we must ensure it continues and is developed further.

The cross-border health care directive was adopted in February 2011. However, it has not yet been transposed into Irish law. I have raised the matter with the Department of Health. If we are not able to provide particular health care in this country, it is important that people be entitled to travel to another member state in order to access it. This highlights the advantages of membership of the European Union. Will the Leader request the Minister for Health to ensure the directive to which I refer is transposed into Irish law at the earliest possible opportunity? In addition, we must carry on and develop the work being done on health issues with our colleagues in Northern Ireland.