The mission of the Women’s Health Council is to inform and influence the development of health policy to ensure the maximum health and social gain for women in Ireland. Its membership is representative of a wide range of expertise and interest in women’s health. The Women’s Health Council has five functions detailed in its Statutory Instruments: 1. Advising the Minister for Health and Children on all aspects of women’s health. 2. Assisting the development of national and regional policies and strategies designed to increase health gain and social gain for women. 3. Developing expertise on women’s health within the health services. 4. Liaising with other relevant international bodies which have similar functions as the Council. 5. Advising other Government Ministers at their request.