James Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I apologise, but I will have to leave soon to attend another meeting.

I thank both delegates for their presentations. As someone with an uncle who was a pharmacist, or a chemist as they were known then, and who also ran the local jewellery store, this combination does not surprise me at all. It must be said my uncle worked in happier times when crime levels were a lot lower.

The role of the pharmacist, about which I know most as a GP, is integral to the health service. Pharmacists are often the first line of contact for patients who come seeking advice. They are respected by their clientele in their communities. They provide an essential service and it is critically important that they be supported. The committee is about business, the cost of doing business, reducing red tape and helping business people to stay in business. The SME sector, of which pharmacists are part, is hugely important to the economy and communities. That is something that is sometimes lost when we talk about the economy, finance and money. The SME sector is about real people.

What the delegates have outlined is very reasonable. They have called for more visible policing and a faster Garda response. They have both raised an issue about the Judiciary which is clearly something we have heard before at this committee, namely, the disparities in the sentences meted out and the awards made by judges. It can be particularly galling if someone breaks into a shop, injures himself or herself and then sues the shop owner. That seems to be a rather inappropriate set-up. The Irish Pharmacy Union's submission refers to tougher sentencing and an increase in the use of public CCTV systems. The latter are improving all of the time and it is something of which I would be very supportive. I would also be supportive of real consequences for those who transgress, particularly if an assault is involved. That is violent crime and needs to be dealt with very seriously. Obviously, Mr. Duggan's personal experience is horrendous. To be stabbed in the chest is something I am sure he will never forget. He has described his family business and the fact that he is still committed to it, despite all of the challenges he faces in securing it, as well as dealing with all of the red tape involved.

Perhaps we might afford the delegates an opportunity to get back to the committee with some specific recommendations that they would like to see acted on. We heard an excellent presentation last week by the Alliance for Insurance Reform in which it outlined many of the problems to which the delegates have also referred, while also pointing to solutions as they saw them. They made concrete recommendations on which we can act by putting pressure on the Government. For example, they spoke about the fraud squad in An Garda Síochána being involved in dealing with false claims. They said that if a claim fell in court, there should be an automatic follow through, with An Garda Síochána investigating to ascertain whether the claim was vexatious in the first instance. If the delegates could come back to the committee with simple suggestions such as that, it would be helpful. I am trying to afford them more time to come back to us with specific ideas. On the issue of tougher sentencing, for example, the Judiciary, rightly, is very jealous of its independence, which makes proceeding in that area difficult. Certainly, the Government is increasing the numbers in An Garda Síochána, from which quicker response times should follow. The main issue is that there should be consequences for the offender. It is great to have the delegates here to hear their views. I ask them, particularly Mr. Duggan, to revert to the committee with specific recommendations. I would like to hear one or two concrete recommendations which could realistically be included in legislation.