Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

The Minister needs to say what she means by that. She also needs to state what arrangements will exist for the doctor and pharmacist if private companies are involved. The Minister and the public are well aware that one of the most senior advisers to Professor Drumm who was involved in drawing up how the HSE will be involved in primary care in the future is now working for a major player for the private sector which is involved in developing these centres. There is a considerable need for clarity with regard to what the Minister is planning. A considerable number of groups of GPs and pharmacists are in the process of developing or have recently opened these primary care centres. They need much more clarity from the Minister as to the way in which she will move this forward.

A considerable criminal element does not exist out there and most of these arrangements work out perfectly well. The Minister needs to make it quite clear what she intends to do with regard to regulating——

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