Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 265: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will report on the work of the North-South unit in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22599/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The Research, EU and International Unit in my Department has responsibility, inter alia, for managing and coordinating North/South cooperation in the health sector. This includes direct liaison with other government departments and with the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland to ensure that the Department's responsibilities in relation to North/South cooperation are met. It also includes liaison with other bodies with a North/South remit such as the North South Ministerial Council, Special EU Programmes Body, Cooperation And Working Together (CAWT) etc. There are regular ongoing contacts between officials from the Unit and counterparts in Northern Ireland to ensure cooperation in the designated areas continues and to explore potential areas for further collaborative work.