Emer Currie
Ceist:900. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Health for an update on her Department’s priorities for Ireland’s Presidency of the EU Council. [49582/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 30 June 2026
Ceisteanna (900)
Freagraí scríofa
Ireland's Programme and Priorities for the Presidency of the Council of the EU is available online at: ireland2026.eu following the launch on 10 June 2026.
The Presidency’s health agenda, under the theme “investing in health to enable competitiveness,” reflects a strategic commitment to strengthening the EU’s global competitiveness while ensuring high-quality, effective healthcare delivery for European citizens.
The central focus of the Presidency is the advancement of key EU legislative priorities. Two flagship legislative dossiers - the Biotech Act I and simplification of the Medical Devices and In Vitro Diagnostics Regulations (MDR/IVDR) - will be at the forefront. These aim to address pressing challenges and opportunities related to access, innovation, and competitiveness in the health and life sciences sectors. The Irish Presidency will seek a Council General Approach on medical device regulatory reforms, progress negotiations on the Biotech Act Regulation, and conduct trilogue negotiations to secure political agreement on the Biotech Act Directive should the Parliament adopt its position in time. The Presidency programme is structured around three areas of strategic focus.
First, Ireland will lead discussions on the future of medicines, promoting innovation in life sciences, clinical trials, and regulatory frameworks to support both competitiveness and sustainable access to treatments.
Second, the Presidency will highlight evidence-based prevention strategies and address health inequalities. We will progress negotiations on the Council Recommendation on health checks for cardiovascular diseases which is expected to be published later this year, as well as facilitating exchanges on early detection and integrated care, and increasing focus on women’s health, including endometriosis, recognising its broader societal and economic impact. Ireland will emphasise the importance and impact of the EU’s approach to integrating mental health into all policies and will explore ways of strengthening Europe’s health security architecture by ensuring mental health remains integral to resilience, crisis preparedness and the management of cross border health threats.
Third, Ireland will prioritise the implementation of digital health systems and data sharing. Progressing the European Health Data Space will be key, enabling secure, interoperable data use to support research, innovation, and the development of safe and effective AI in healthcare.