Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Thank you, Mr. O'Mahony. I also wish to thank Ms Nolan for being here, as well as Mr. Lynch. For the information of the meeting, we requested the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland to make a presentation. As members are aware, the PSI wrote in reply to say it would not be in a position to attend as it is currently undertaking a statutory investigative process. The PSI said it would welcome an opportunity to discuss this important topic, including the pharmacist's role in the safe provision of medicines in an emergency. The society has asked the joint committee to facilitate this at a later date following the completion of the current ongoing statutory process. That letter was sent to the committee by the PSI.

I apologise to members, witnesses and those in the Visitors Gallery because there may be votes during the course of this meeting on the Health Service Executive (Financial Matters) Bill in the Dáil. We will be adjourning during the votes because democracy has to play its part. It may not happen, however, and hopefully it will not.