Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

The Minister should think about it. She will not get the agreement of 25 member states to make what are now prescription only medicines exempt throughout the EU.

The Minister and some Government Deputies focused on public health and residues. There is not a problem with residues in this country because farmers comply with withdrawal periods. Forcing farmers to get a prescription from a vet who has not been on their farm for maybe 12 months will not ensure compliance with the withdrawal period. It has nothing to do with residue and nothing to do with withdrawal periods.

This directive will be passed into law before the end of this month, not some time next year. It will be too late to review it after that because it will be on the Statute Book. If the Minister is genuine about this she will agree with the motion, as will the Minister of State at the Department of Finance, Deputy Parlon, who did not even think it worth his while to come into the House. If all the backbench Deputies who have travelled around the country stabbing the Minister in the back by saying they do not agree with it——

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