Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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619. To ask the Minister for Health whether there are discussions taking place about a new WHO international agreement that would oblige Ireland to follow a course set out by WHO in the event of another pandemic; whether it is intended to place any such agreement before Dáil Éireann for debate and ratification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22528/23]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that the global status quo in terms of pandemic preparedness and response is not acceptable and needs revision and as such, Ireland strongly supports a multilateral approach to global health issues with the World Health Organisation (WHO) in a central leadership role.

On 1 December 2021, the members of the WHO reached consensus to begin the process to negotiate a convention, agreement, or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response. Put simply, the aim of such an instrument is to protect public health and to help save lives in the event of future pandemics.

An Intergovernmental Negotiating Body was established and met for the first time on 24 February 2022. The Intergovernmental Negotiating Body has met five times to date and is due to meet again in July to progress work on drafting the agreement. A progress report will be delivered to the 76th World Health Assembly later this month, with the aim of adopting the instrument by 2024.

As provided for in the Irish Constitution, the conclusion of an international agreement is an exercise of the executive power of the State in connection with its external relations and is therefore concluded by or on the authority of the Government. In practice this means that Government approval must be sought for the signature, ratification, or approval of every international agreement.

As the proposed instrument on pandemic prevention, preparedness and response is currently in the very early stages of negotiation, it is not possible at this time to determine the precise legal ramifications of the instrument, nor has it been determined what form the instrument shall take.

The requirements of the Irish Constitution will, of course, be respected in Ireland’s position towards the negotiations and my Department will engage with the Office of the Attorney General in relation to any concerns that may arise in this regard.