Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Department of Health is leading the co-ordination of Ireland’s position in respect of the proposals to amend the IHR. This work involves working with the relevant policy units in the Department, Government Departments, Ireland's permanent representation to the UN in Geneva, EU member states and EU partners on this matter. I would again like to reassure the Senator that Article 59 of the IHR will only be applicable once a final text has been agreed and adopted by the World Health Assembly, at which Ireland will be represented. As negotiations are still ongoing in relation to these amendments, it is not possible at this time to determine the precise legal ramifications of these amendments, if agreed, nor has it been determined what form if any these amendments will take. As such I would like to re-state that no amendments to the IHR will take effect in December 2023.

The requirements of the Irish Constitution will, of course, be fully reflected in Ireland’s position towards these negotiations, and my Department will engage with the Office of the Attorney General on any concerns that may arise in this regard. Ireland will continue to fully engage with the work of both the working group of international health regulations and the IHR review committee to ensure that ambitious, fair and implementable amendments are submitted for adoption to the World Health Assembly in 2024.