Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 173: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her understanding of the powers that exist to restrict the free movement of people out of and into Ireland in the event of a serious outbreak of avian flu in view of the paragraph on travel restrictions on page 19 of the European Union's Final Report on A Pandemic Influenza Exercise for the European Union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21725/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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There are no restrictions on travel to or from areas experiencing outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in birds, including countries which have reported associated cases of human infection.

I presume, however, that the question relates to a human influenza pandemic. The World Health Organisation does not recommend the closing of international borders at any pandemic phase. A recent academic review of strategies for mitigating an influenza pandemic published in Nature magazine found that border restrictions and/or internal travel restrictions are unlikely to delay spread by more than 2-3 weeks unless more than 99% effective.

The report to which the Deputy refers goes on to recommend that "The Commission should, on behalf of Member States, investigate and clarify the international regulations during an international infectious disease outbreak. Regulations regarding restrictions on travel, airport closure and border control should be explained in the light of the Schengen Convention and the International Health Regulations. There needs to be further discussion to clarify the impact of border closure, specifically the movement of drugs and vaccines when borders are closed. Such measures require further discussion by the European Commission and Member States." The Commission has indicated that it will arrange workshops on issues such as border controls and quarantine.

Issues relating to the implementation of the International Health Regulations are currently being examined by my Department and the Health Service Executive. Officials of my Department and the HSE are also in ongoing contact with officials in Northern Ireland regarding cross-border issues. In addition, my Department has established a Standing Inter-Departmental Committee on Public Health Emergency Planning to consider issues which go beyond the health aspects of an influenza pandemic including border controls and suspension of travel.