Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 86: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if it is the case that she agreed with the Minister for Health (details supplied), Social Services and Public Safety in the Six Counties not to take forward or to publish the North - South feasibility report on cooperation in health; if so, the meeting or meetings at which she agreed not to take forward or publish this report; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Minister in the Assembly on 14 September 2010, presented this as a joint decision between him and the Minister; if the Minister will now publish the report and press for its implementation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34582/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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In 2007, both Health Departments agreed to undertake a Feasibility Study on the potential for future cooperation. A Project Board representative of the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety (NI), the Department of Health and Children, the Health Service Executive, and Cooperation And Working Together (CAWT) was established to oversee the Study. The Study examined the potential for joint co-operation in health across an extensive range of health and social care services and makes a number of recommendations for future cooperation. The Study was conducted jointly and it was agreed would constitute a report to the two Ministers. Any action arising, including a decision to formally publish the Report, requires the agreement of both parties.

The Study was completed in 2009 and was presented to Ministers in April that year. While I have indicated my approval for the Study's recommendations, in a discussion with the Minister for Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland in June this year, he informed me that he was not satisfied to endorse the Study. However, it would be wrong to assume that the non-publication of this Study implies that there is no cooperation on health matters. Cross Border working on health has existed for many years and both Departments continue to collaborate on a wide range of health and social care issues. Currently, some of these issues include Radiotherapy Services, Paediatric Congenital Cardiac Services, Emergency Planning, Child Protection, Health Promotion, Cancer Research and Suicide Prevention. Both Health Ministers meet regularly under the auspices of the North South Ministerial Council and continually review the existing arrangements for cooperation and explore other areas for collaboration where mutual benefit for both populations is demonstrated.