Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 96: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if there is a means by which the recommendations of a group (details supplied) can be progressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23585/05]

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The north west alcohol forum is a multi-sectoral community initiative comprised of people in the north west with a special interest in alcohol abuse. It was established in response to the interim report of the strategic task force on alcohol 2002. The forum published a report in June 2004 entitled A Portrait of Our Drinking. This outlined local and national data in describing the impact of alcohol misuse on the region. The report contains a number of recommendations aimed at reducing alcohol related harm. I have reviewed the recommendations and have asked my officials to examine, in conjunction with the north west alcohol forum, ways in which the recommendations can be advanced.

Cecilia Keaveney (Donegal North East, Fianna Fail)
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Question 97: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the contacts she has with her counterparts in Northern Ireland to help advance, in a logical manner, the development of medical services on the island of Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23586/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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There is a high degree of co-operation between the health administrations, North and South. For many years, regular meetings at ministerial, secretary general and official levels have afforded the opportunity to exchange information on issues of mutual interest and to discuss policy developments in our respective administrations.

With the establishment of the North-South Ministerial Council, the health agenda became formalised when five areas were designated for health co-operation. As the Deputy will be aware, the areas are accident and emergency services, planning for major emergencies, cancer research, high technology equipment and health promotion. Although the council has not been meeting since the suspension of devolved government in Northern Ireland, North-South contacts continue in these areas and steady progress continues to be made.

So far as ministerial contact is concerned, I look forward to my first meeting with my counterpart, the Northern Ireland Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety, Mr. Shaun Woodward, on 5 July, in Dublin, when we plan to discuss a number of areas of mutual interest. Mr. Woodward has expressed a particular interest in our tobacco control measures in the South and I intend to raise a number of cross-Border services issues with him where I feel that there are possibilities for cross-Border working.

At secretary general level, there has been a long tradition of meetings once or twice a year. The most recent of these was on 1 February this year. This practice has operated very successfully as both an initiating and a consolidating influence on health relations North and South in the broad sense.

Under an initiative emanating from the North-South Ministerial Council on obstacles to cross-Border mobility, officials of my Department and of its counterpart, the Northern Ireland Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, established a working group to examine ways and means of addressing perceived obstacles to mutual recognition of qualifications in the medical profession. The working group has sought input to its deliberations from both the professional and regulatory bodies and from major employers of health staff. The group is nearing the completion of its remit and I look forward to its conclusions.

Apart from the involvement of the two Departments, a most valuable asset is available to us for active cross-Border co-operation at the local level. This is Co-operation and Working Together, CAWT, which is representative of the health authorities, North and South, in the Border area. Its aim is to improve the health and social well being of the population in this area and it has long been appreciated for its work and achievements in this role.

This is a snapshot of cross-Border health relations at the present time. In accordance with a decision by the Government at the end of May, there will be a continued emphasis on North-South issues for the remainder of this year. Many Departments, including my own, have a number of key objectives of North-South co-operation to pursue in 2005 and I will ensure that the necessary momentum is maintained.