Cormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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2628. To ask the Minister for Health for Ireland’s position on the amendments to the international health regulations adopted by the World Health Assembly on 1 June 2024; if Ireland has lodged any reservation or objection to the amendments with the World Health Organisation; the timeline for the Government’s consideration of the amendments; the details around the impact of the amendments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47009/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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On 1 June 2024, a package of targeted amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) (IHR) were adopted by consensus under Resolution WHA77.17 by the Seventy-Seventh World Health Assembly. This marked the conclusion of almost two years of intensive Member State-led negotiations, of which Ireland was supportive and played an active role.

The Government approved the amendments to the IHR on 8th July 2025. This decision signifies Ireland’s consent to being bound by this package of amendments, without reservation or objection.

On the same date, Government approved for Ireland to avail of a permissible 12-month extension, pursuant to Article 59.3 of the IHR, to adjust or enact the necessary domestic legislation to ensure compliance with the requirements of these Regulations. Notice of Ireland’s intention to avail of this provision was submitted to the WHO Director-General via Ireland’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva in advance of the 19th of July 2025 deadline.

The 2024 amendments are aimed at enhancing international coordination and collaboration, ensuring rapid access to medical countermeasures for all, and strengthening national and global capacities to prevent, prepare for, detect and respond to public health emergencies, including pandemic emergencies.

These amendments will ensure Ireland has comprehensive, robust systems in place to protect the health and safety of the Irish population from the risk of future global health threats.