Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank everyone present. I know it has been a long morning. My first question relates to the emerging field in general practice of online consultations. The Care Quality Commission in the UK has expressed concern about the quality of prescriptions, that opioids and antibiotics are being excessively prescribed and, obviously, that there is no physical examination with an online consultation. These practices are being heavily advertised in Ireland and there has been considerable growth. In the UK, it was discovered that four in ten were unsafe or there were fears about their safety. I raised the issue during Questions on Promised Legislation and received a reply from the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, in the Minister's absence. What are the Minister's plans for regulation and guidelines to ensure safety? Is the HSE commencing a process or audit to deal with the matter? I might get an answer to that and then I will come back.