Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

If a doctor, nurse or other health professional is in receipt of support from a pharmaceutical company or the pharmaceutical industry, it may be very legitimate support but the Bill is concerned with it being upfront, transparent and accountable. In health research, there are researchers who put a declaration of interest at the end of their papers saying that a particular company assisted in the sponsorship of the research or in some other way. They are being ethical, transparent and accountable for how the research was funded. It is not to inhibit the pharmaceutical industry in the delivery of medical services but to ensure that the person or entity is upfront and declares that interest. That is the real purpose of the Bill. How does the Deputy view his Bill in light of the comments that have been made today?