Ireland’s EU Presidency: Leading Europe’s Public Health Agenda

Six years on from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a decrease in momentum for coordinated EU public health action, particularly on respiratory disease. Despite mounting pressures from climate change, ageing populations, and strained health systems, this trend has continued. This panel discussion brings together healthcare professionals, policymakers, industry representatives, and other experts to explore how Ireland’s forthcoming EU Presidency can help to re-energise Europe’s public health agenda. With a particular focus on respiratory health, the panellists discuss how EU-level cooperation on prevention, early diagnosis, surveillance, data-sharing, and innovation can deliver more resilient, equitable, and future-ready health systems across Europe. This event is organised by the Institute of International and European Affairs in partnership with Sanofi. The panel includes: José Luis Castro, Director-General Special Envoy for Chronic Respiratory Diseases at the World Health Organisation (WHO) Professor Mary Horgan, Chief Medical Officer at the Department of Health Mark Canavan, EU Public Affairs Senior Director at Sanofi Mandy Daly, Founder of the Irish Neonatal Health Alliance and Embedded Patient Researcher