Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have not given prior consideration of the matter and the Deputy's point sounds relevant. No malpractice is suggested and that must be the clear critical determinant of whether somebody is suitable to practise as a pharmacist. It is without question that in times such as these situations can present that nobody could ever have planned for or catered to. It is within the bounds of possibility that a person could find himself or herself bankrupt. Pharmacy is a very competitive sector. There are a significant number of pharmacists in my home town yet a new one has opened in the past week. I was stunned because the new pharmacy is located next door to an existing outlet. The sector is almost at saturation point and not everybody can survive. Deputy Kelleher has made the reasoned argument that failure to succeed in an economic situation does not suggest inappropriateness to continue as a professional in the sector. A valid case must be considered here. The Minister of State probably knows more than me about the matter and he might consider the matter for Report Stage.