Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for her query in relation to the World Health Organisation Pandemic Agreement (WHO CA+).

The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated that the global status quo in terms of pandemic preparedness and response is not adequate and requires revision. It also demonstrated the cross-border nature of a pandemic, and that States need to work collaboratively in managing their response to such a threat. 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 World Health Organisation (WHO) reached consensus to begin the process of negotiating a convention, agreement, or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response, commonly known as the Pandemic Agreement. Ireland supports this WHO-led process to negotiate a binding legal instrument on pandemic preparedness and response, the aim of which is to protect public health and to help save lives in the event of future pandemics.

An Intergovernmental Negotiating Body (INB) was established and met for the first time on 24th February 2022. The INB has met seven times to date to progress work on the drafting of this agreement with the most recent meeting taking place in March 2024. It is anticipated that the Pandemic Agreement will be adopted in May 2024.

In relation to the Deputy’s query regarding amendments proposed by the European Union (EU) and Ireland, as the WHO CA+ remains subject to negotiation it is not possible, at this time, to provide the text of Ireland's suggestions, or the amendments proposed by EU negotiators on behalf of EU Member States as part of the coordination process facilitated by the EU Delegation to the UN in Geneva.

On 13th March 2024, the INB Bureau circulated a proposal for the ‘Draft Negotiating Text’ of the Agreement, which constitutes the latest draft of the WHO CA+, and is freely accessible through the website of the World Health Organization (A/INB/9/3). A copy of the text can be found at the following link: apps.who.int/gb/inb/pdf_files/inb9/A_inb9_3-en.pdf. While this text currently forms the basis for negotiation, it is subject to change as the negotiations continue.

Officials in my Department continue to lead on Ireland’s position with respect to the negotiation of the WHO Pandemic Agreement, working closely with Ireland’s Permanent Representation to the UN in Geneva, and engaging with the relevant policy units in the Department of Health and other Government Departments and Agencies, as well as EU partners on this matter.

Ireland has been participating in the member-led, consensus-based negotiation process on the WHO Pandemic Agreement as part of the EU bloc of Member States. Ireland is also a member of the Group of Friends of the Treaty whose membership includes EU Member States, the UK, the Republic of Korea, and South Africa among others. Ireland strongly supports an agreement that will foster an all-of-government and all-of-society approach, strengthening national, regional, and global capacities towards resilience to future pandemics.

I trust that the above information is of assistance to you.