Victor Boyhan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the officials from the Department. They have heard the presentations by Mr. Quinn from the IPU and Mr. Scott from ILMA, who raised two issues that relate to the Department. In some ways, I am sorry that the officials from the Department were not here at the time because when issues are raised about another party, it is an important for them to have an opportunity to respond.

Mr. Quinn said that a request of the Department, through the forum on the antiparasitic resistance stakeholder group, to conduct an economic impact assessment in advance of the implementation of the EU Regulation 2019/6 was refused. That somewhat surprised me. I would like it if our guests could give a good reason that request was refused. An economic impact statement or assessment is critical for any policy or decision that anyone takes, particularly here in Leinster House. I am disappointed if that was the case but I would like our guests to clarify if it was and why that decision was taken. Economic impact assessments are fundamental and, if it is correct, the point raised by Mr. Quinn is valid and should be addressed.

Sometimes in contributions to the committee, the punch comes at the end. Mr. Scott's assessment in his presentation ended with him saying that the Department acted against the wishes of the Irish MEPs, the EU Commissioner's original draft and the Irish LM medicines distribution system that the Department set up and regulates. He went on to say that the Department failed to notify stakeholders of its intention and alleged that it failed to put matters right in the year between approving the change and its entering into force. Those are serious criticisms of the Department and Mr. Scott said that it is in grave danger of contravening anti-competition law, which would result in costly litigation to resolve those matters.

Those are two separate statements made by two people who presented to the committee. We need to have some clarification of both of those issues from the Department.