Ms Kathy Maher:

We can safely say that pharmacies are providing an exemplary service in all areas but especially those areas with no GP practice or where a GP has reduced hours or has had to leave the area. When we look at April or May, when another 400,000 medical cards come on stream and the value in the additional services we have talked about this morning, that is where it really comes into play when it eases on existing GP services. We know GP services are under pressure, with a number of GPs coming close to retirement. By increasing the scope of pharmacy practice, we can help alleviate a lot of that pressure.