Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
708. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health the preparations being made to ensure that mental health will be a priority during Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union; whether Ireland intends to promote EU-wide cooperation on improving access to mental health services, suicide prevention, youth mental health, and workforce wellbeing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52686/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
The Presidency Conference: Resilient Europe: Mental Health as a Strategic Asset for Europe’s Strength and Competitiveness, planned for the 15/10/2026 in Cork, will emphasise the importance and impact of the EU’s approach to integrating mental health into all policies. The conference aims to explore ways of strengthening Europe’s health security architecture by ensuring mental health remains integral to resilience, crisis preparedness and response, and to the management of cross border health threats.
It will be followed by the Presidency Associated Event: Voices in Recovery - Celebrating Lived Experience, on 16/10/2026 in Waterford. This conference will reflect the significance of lived experience as an innovative approach to service delivery. Incorporating lived experience redefines the power dynamic between professionals and service users, replacing traditional hierarchy with collaborative partnerships that drive meaningful, tailored, and compassionate care.
Finally, the High-Level Ministerial Presidency Conference on Maximising EU potential through Health - Securing Our Future Through Prevention, Innovation and Equity, on 16-17/11/2026 in Dublin is proposed as a dynamic forum that will bring Member States together to drive forward innovative, evidence-based approaches for prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD’s). Aligned with Irelands Presidency priorities our aim is to promote a proactive approach to population health across the EU, focusing on equitable access and innovation for preventative care. This event will convene politicians, policymakers, researchers, civil society, clinicians, patients and advocates to collaborate for a healthier, more equitable future for health in Europe. Mental health will be the focus of one of the breakout sessions.
