Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

Is it not the case that the majority of the Minister's colleagues in Europe are opposed to the Irish position and that they want the position to be as proposed by the Commission? In light of that, is it not irresponsible of us not to have a plan B in place, with draft regulations and involving a consultation process during the summer months? If the Minister fails to convince the Commission on the Irish position, she can then quickly bring forward proposals and new regulations to ensure that not only vets but also licensed merchants and pharmacists can write prescriptions in certain circumstances, rather than waiting until the eleventh hour and failing to have them in place by 1 January 2007.

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