Plenary JC 6 July 2009

• the close co-operation on the recent Influenza A/H1N1 outbreak;
• agreement on a framework for the removal of waste illegally dumped in Northern Ireland;
• progress on introducing the mutual recognition of driving disqualifications later this year and developing a co-ordinated approach to the introduction of lower blood alcohol limits;
• intensified co-operation on Child Protection, including internet safety, the development of a protocol for the movement for vulnerable children and families across borders and advice and guidance on safeguarding arrangements for parents, carers and employers;
• progress on suicide prevention including proposals for revised media guidelines to incorporate advice on new technologies including internet related suicides;
• the development of a draft all-island Animal Health and Welfare Strategy to facilitate free movement of animals including plans for a cross-border event in the Autumn 2009 to bring together key stakeholders to discuss the delivery of the Strategy;
• a joint programme of research commissioned by the Loughs Agency which has played a leading role in the development of a Europe-wide research project on use of genetic techniques to identify origins of salmon caught at sea (SALSEA);
• continued co-operation in education on the approaches to the integration of newcomer children in schools;
• the further development of the www.borderpeople.info website, the publication by the main banks of information on the cost of cross-border transactions and progress on the transfer of pension rights on a cross-border basis.