Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

In respect of the latter question, the Deputy was in attendance yesterday at a conference where I said the heads of the Bill were being published and will be available to everybody and not just to a small group. The first Bill deals mainly with fitness to practise issues and strengthens the role of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and provides for a majority of lay participation in accordance with all the regulatory bodies being reformed in the health area. The second Bill, which will come later, will deal with more technical issues. The Health Information and Quality Authority has been established and is recruiting a chief executive officer. I am not certain, therefore, of the purpose of the question on the legislation. The heads of the Bill have been published for consultation.

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