Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank our guests for their very comprehensive statement. They compare Ireland with Denmark and the Netherlands in some detail. I take it that is because those two countries would be considered to be operating best practice. At several points in the submission, they mention that Ireland is many years behind both countries. The table provided is very useful. Some of the stewardship measures in the Netherlands have been introduced fairly recently. Will Ireland remain years behind no matter what or is it possible for it to advance some of the measures that have been outlined as important in the fight against antimicrobial resistance in a speedy timeframe if the measures were agreed at a political level? In other words, is the infrastructure in place to allow us to do this sooner?

Much of our debate on this EU regulation has focused on the potential impact it will have on licensed merchants and others who currently distribute some products. The witnesses' analysis suggests that Denmark is the flagbearer for best practice. I understand that the distribution of veterinary medicines in Denmark and Sweden is very similar to the primary care system that operates here in Ireland for human medicine. In other words, there is a separation of prescribing and dispensing of veterinary medicines. Should we examine that model for Ireland to ensure there is a multi-stakeholder approach as has been advocated by the Health Products Regulatory Authority, HPRA, and the Chief Veterinary Officer, CVO, and also remove any potential financial incentive for somebody to overprescribe? I am not suggesting that is a widespread practice, but it is always possible somebody will do that.