The construction industries role in maintaining public health will be investigated today at an international conference in Dublin.

The conference, entitled 'Healthy Public Policy - Is Health Impact Assessment the Cornerstone?' will analyse the health impacts of new projects in terms of their effect on public health, and will look at the implementation of the Health Impact Association’s (HIA) policies.

This is the first time the (HIA) conference has been held in Ireland where it is being held in the historic Dublin Castle.

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Some of the subjects on the agenda include 'Supporting Cities to Implement HIA' and 'Can HIA be embedded within the Policy Formulation in Ireland?' as well as the more bizarre 'HIA: An idea whose time has come but are we ready for the onslaught?'

The conference aims to provide an international forum to debate the different views and issues in health impact assessment and explore its role throughout a range of sectors.

It aims to increase knowledge and understanding of HIA and to showcase what it can bring to Ireland. It will also provide an excellent opportunity to network with international delegates and speakers.

Speakers at the conference will include; Ms Mary Harney, Minister for Health and Children; Ms Joan Devlin, Programme Director, Belfast Healthy Cities; and Dr Michael McBride, Chief Medical Officer, for the Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland.

(DW/SP)