Tanaiste Co-Chairs Covid-19 Joint Ministerial Conference Call

Today the Tánaiste, Simon Coveney, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Brandon Lewis, jointly chaired a third conference call with the First Minister Arlene Foster, deputy First Minister Michelle O’Neill, Health Minister Robin Swann and Minister for Health Simon Harris to discuss the ongoing response to COVID-19.

They discussed the latest developments on a North/South and East-West basis on the efforts to combat Covid-19. They emphasised the importance of continuing the good engagement that has taken place between Health Ministers. They reaffirmed their commitment to continued close contact and work, through the process set out in the memorandum of understanding, for the benefit of all people across the island of Ireland.

They agreed that all our health and social care workers continue to show extraordinary courage, and dedication, in their efforts on the frontline to tackle this virus.

There is also no doubt that the responsibility shown by the public in adhering to social distancing has made a huge difference in controlling the spread of the virus and saving lives. With public health measures under ongoing review in both jurisdictions, it was agreed that it will be essential to maintain strong North/South collaborative arrangements and, wherever possible, consistency of approach.

Health Ministers and Chief Medical Officers will continue to work in support of these objectives through the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding and further developments in this regard will be reviewed at the next meeting in this format.