Coronavirus: Belfast and Dublin governments sign new agreement on COVID-19 co-operation in Ireland

The Memorandum of Understanding has been agreed by health ministers Robin Swann and Simon Harris and the two Chief Medical Officers Dr. Michael McBride and Dr. Tony Holohan.

The document focuses on facilitating greater co-operation on areas such as: public health messaging, research, programmes of behavioural change, ethics, evidence base/ modelling, and public health and non-pharmaceutical measures.

Other areas will be considered, such as procurement, where this is of mutual benefit, the governments said.

Dr. Michael McBride said: “I welcome the MOU which reaffirms our commitment to work together for the benefit of the people we all serve. North-south co-operation on protecting the health and well-being of our citizens has been well established for many years. It is essential that we continue to work together as closely as possible at this time.”

Dr .Tony Holohan said: "I am delighted that Dr. Michael McBride and I have now finalised the MOU with the full engagement and assistance of respective Departments and Ministers. We have been working closely with our Northern Irish colleagues since the start of the COVID 19 crisis. Today's MOU will formalise the close ongoing co-operation that has been taking place."

Minister Swann said: “I want to acknowledge the ongoing collaborative work between my Department, the Public Health Agency and Health and Social Care Board and their counterparts in the Republic of Ireland.

"This has been the case from day one and is a reflection of the long standing cooperation and relationships built up over many years. We face a common challenge, facing that challenge will test us as never before. We will continue to do everything possible to work together for the best possible outcome."

Minister Harris said: "There has been significant engagement between the Ministers, the Chief Medical Officers, and the Departments throughout this pandemic. This MOU will ensure timely and responsive communications and decisions in a fast-moving environment; that both Administrations will seek to adopt similar approaches, where it is appropriate to do so on the advice of respective Chief Medical Officers.

"I want to thank my colleagues in Northern Ireland for their co-operation to date. This is a global pandemic. It knows no borders and we are all in this together. It is essential we continue to do everything we can across the island to fight this pandemic."