Kate O'Connell (Dublin Bay South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have worked for many years as a community pharmacist. I welcome the Bill, but I agree with Deputy Louise O'Reilly that it addresses only a tiny piece of a far greater problem. I do not see it as fixing anything in a great way, but I also do not see it as doing major harm. In my south Dublin pharmacy I have a file for forged prescriptions. It is a serious issue. As somebody working in the community, I am aware that when I receive a forged prescription, I am supposed to report the matter to An Garda Síochána. However, in reality it is hard to manage this and ensure there is a follow-on. The legislation is good, but we need to address the bigger issue of why people end up in these situations and their lives are so bad that they want to get up in the morning and take a sleeping tablet. There are people who have reduced their methadone intake over many years, but they still carry with them the criminal record that acts as a barrier to their re-engaging with society in the same way as the rest of us can. As I said, this is a small piece of something far greater. I am aware of the difficulties for An Garda Síochána. It is important, however, that whatever we do in the health area, we first do no harm. I do not believe this measure will do any harm. As I said, it addresses a small part of a far bigger problem.