Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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777. To ask the Minister for Health if he has expressed an interest in Ireland hosting the European Medicines Agency if it is relocated following Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20468/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government has expressed a strong interest in hosting the EMA. The Agency plays a vital role in the protection of the health of 500 million EU citizens through the scientific evaluation and safety monitoring of human and veterinary medicines and I believe Dublin is the right choice for the new host city.

In October 2016 the Irish Government agreed that Dublin should be promoted as a suitable new location for the EMA. An interdepartmental/interagency working group, chaired at a senior level by the Department of Health, has been set up to prepare a bid in support of the relocation of the Agency to Dublin. This group has commenced its work with a view to finalising a proposal this year for submission to the European Council in due course.

The Government believes that Dublin would be a very suitable location for the EMA, particularly in the interests of ensuring continuity and sustainability in the conduct of its business. Such continuity is critical for European citizens and the industries which the EMA regulates.

Dublin is a safe, modern, open and multicultural city which can offer a range of advantages to the EMA including:

- Whole-of-government support for the relocation;

- Excellent connectivity through Dublin Airport to Europe;

- A dynamic life sciences sector;

- High quality of life for staff and their families;

- Strong education and research credentials; and

- All the amenities of a modern capital city.

The relocation of the EMA also represents an opportunity to attract a prestigious EU Agency to Dublin which will directly employ almost 1,000 staff and attract many more high-quality jobs in associated sectors. The EMA is also key to maintaining the competitiveness of the European pharmaceutical industry, which is worth approximately €260 billion annually.

Its location in Dublin would also stimulate employment in ancillary sectors, including the hospitality and transport industries.

I met with permanent representatives of EU Member States in Brussels last Friday to set out the strength of the Irish bid. I also met the Belgian health Minister to promote Dublin for the EMA. I will officially launch the brochure in Dublin, along with an accompanying website on Thursday 4 May. This will be followed by visits to cities around Europe to promote the Dublin bid.

The plan is that in each city stop there will be a bilateral meeting between me or Minister of State Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, with our equivalent health minister. However, the Irish delegation would also include senior representatives from the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) as well as the IDA Ireland, to allow us to project the strength of the coalition we have built in Ireland to support Dublin’s bid.

Ultimately the decision on the new location for the EMA will be made by the European Council at heads of state or government level. Therefore I want to ensure in advance of that decision that European leaders are clear that Dublin is the best location for the EMA and is ready, willing and able to host it successfully.