On Thursday 13th December, the Health Attaché and Social Affairs Attaché of the Irish Permanent Representation came to the first EUREGHA Lunch Briefing to present the health-related priorities for the upcoming Irish Presidency 2013.

Mr. Greg Canning (Health Attaché) highlighted two main priority areas:

  • Health and Wellbeing
  • Innovation and Research

Under these headings, the main legislative areas that the Irish Presidency will focus on are: Cross-Border threats and the current Directive, Health for Growth Programme, Tobacco Products Directive, psychoactive substances, medical devices, clinical trials and the transparency of pricing and reimbursement of medicines.

Mr. Colin Byrne (Social Affairs Attaché) presented 4 main priorities:

  • Youth unemployment
  • The new proposal on food aid
  • Supplementary Pensions Directive
  • Social Investment package

Both representatives gave timelines of intended action and key dates of future meetings.

The presentations will soon be available from the EUREGHA Secretariat.  For a more detailed summary of the presentations, click here