Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 8 March 2023

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health

The Role of Pharmacy Care in the Healthcare System: Irish Pharmacy Union

Photo of Seán CroweSeán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The format of today's meeting is usually ten minutes for questions and answers for each committee member. If there is time there may be a second round of questions. Apologies have been received from Senators Frances Black and Seán Kyne. Name plates in the committee room were unfortunately unavailable for use due to a technical error so I ask all members to be conscious of this when engaging with the witnesses.

Before we get to the main item on today's agenda, the minutes of the committee meetings of 28 February and 1 March 2023 have been circulated to members for consideration.

Are they agreed? Agreed. The purpose of the meeting today is for the joint committee to meet representatives of the Irish Pharmacy Union, IPU, to consider issues relating to the role of pharmacy care in the healthcare system. To commence the committee's consideration of this matter, I am pleased to welcome from the IPU Mr. Dermot Twomey, president, Ms Kathy Maher, chair of the pharmacy contractors committee, PCC, Ms Sharon Foley, secretary general, Dr. Susan O'Dwyer, head of governance and pharmacy services, and Mr. Jim Curran, director of public affairs and communications.

All those present in the committee room as asked to exercise personal responsibility to protect themselves and others from the risk of contracting Covid-19. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable, or otherwise engage in speech that might be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in relation to an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks and it is imperative that they comply with any such direction.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official, either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex in order to participate in public meetings. I will not permit members to participate when they are not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts will be asked to leave the meeting. In this regard, I ask any members participating via Microsoft Teams, prior to their contribution to the meeting, to confirm that they are on the grounds of the Leinster House complex.

I invite Mr. Twomey to make the opening remarks on behalf of the Irish Pharmacy Union.

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