Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

Amendment No. 5 seeks that registered pharmacists be members of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and that that body should adopt a role akin to that of the Medical Council to ensure there are standards. This leads very much to what Deputy McManus was talking about. We are not comfortable with the legislation pertaining to the health services.

It is funny that when the Minister of State referred to the fines Bill, he stated he did not want to introduce piecemeal legislation in regard to fines. We are only on amendment No. 5 but we are already being told a new pharmacy Bill and fines Bill are needed to address the issues raised. This is the ultimate in piecemeal legislation because we are told that many of the concerns we raise require new legislation and that we must wait for it to be enacted before the arrangement is 100% kosher and before we can all sleep comfortably in our beds at night. This is a strange way to do business. Does the Minister of State not agree that the pharmacy No. 1 Bill should be taken in tandem with the Bill before the House? It appears we are giving a considerable degree power to the profession and that perhaps we should strengthen the legislative role to protect patients. Protecting the public is what we are about. I have more to say on the matter. I will not press amendment No. 5, but I would like the Minister of State to take my argument on board in the context of this vital legislation.

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