Mr. Jim Breslin:

The Minister briefed the Cabinet on this issue recently. We have issued public statements and it is outlined in the contingency action plan. We have convened stakeholders for discussions, particularly in the area of medicine supply, on which it is very important that there is good clear public information. Later today I will write to stakeholders with whom we had a very good meeting last week, including representatives of the pharmaceutical industry, the Irish Pharmacy Union, which represents community pharmacists, and a range of other stakeholders in order to ensure that we are all aware of the exact situation regarding medicine supplies. As stated earlier, it is very important that people understand that this is a sophisticated industry with well-developed supply chains and some of the largest multinationals in the world delivering medicines to community pharmacists through very well established and resourced wholesalers. The HPRA, the HSE and the Department are working with the industry to pre-empt any issues. As per my opening statement, we are confident that there are no current issues. However, medicine shortage can arise even without Brexit, so we will remain vigilant. If an issue arises, we will put actions in place to resolve it as quickly as possible. We are confident that there is adequate provision and that wholesalers routinely hold sufficient stock to bridge any problems that may arise at the ports. The important message is that there is no need for patients, retail pharmacists or hospitals to increase stock levels or ask for extra prescriptions. To do so would suck product out of the supply chain, which might produce a shortage and mean a person who needs the medicine would not be able to get it. That is a very important public message which we are seeking to promote. We will continue to review this matter with industry representatives. As Mr. Hennessy outlined, we are considering categories of medicines and product lines. In addition to receiving the message from the industry that it has done the preparations - and we are very appreciative of its work in that regard - we are verifying the availability of the most critical medicines and asking the industry to be definitive in regard to how the product will be delivered and that there will be sufficient supply. All of the information to date indicates that the work is proceeding and that there is satisfaction in respect of adequate supply. That is important information which we are promoting to the public. It would be great if something sensible could be done in Westminster to conclude an agreement as that would render all of this damage limitation unnecessary. However, we will continue with it because of the uncertainty. We will continue to make that information publicly available. Obviously, as we get closer to Brexit, we will make further information available.

The potential impact on the flow of patients between Ireland and the UK for specialist services is also a source of public concern. As I stated, we are working to ensure that will continue and are confident that it will. The authorities in the UK are very anxious to facilitate it. As Mr. Hennessy outlined, service agreements have been reached regarding individual circumstances such as cancer or cardiac care in Altnagelvin hospital or other arrangements which we facilitate. We are confident those agreements will withstand any issues that arise out of Brexit. Those are probably the two most important messages I wish to send to the public today.

On the Medical Practitioners Act, as previously outlined, we envisage that the Medical Council will examine its current rule set. Should the UK crash out, an EU-recognised qualification would no longer suffice to practice in the UK. Rather, doctors there would require GMC UK-recognised qualification. We understand the implications of that. Once we are satisfied that a person has such a qualification, we will put him or her through an administrative procedure similar to that in regard to recognition for EU qualifications but which will no longer be automatic.