Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

I move amendment No. 7:

In page 14, between lines 30 and 31, to insert the following:

"(a) before drafting or giving effect to a code of conduct, consult with bodies which are representative of the pharmacy sector, and with any other person or body the Council considers appropriate,".

The amendment proposes to introduce a requirement for consultation in drawing up codes of conduct. A similar amendment proposed in the Seanad, which named the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, was withdrawn having been found to be flawed. This amendment proposes that before drafting or giving effect to a code of conduct — such codes have a significant impact on those working in the sector — the board shall consult bodies which are representative of the pharmacy sector, and with any other person or body the council considers appropriate.

Although the amendment is harmless, I presume the Minister does not propose to accept it. It proposes a form of inclusion which is beneficial as it would ensure the process takes account of the views of those who work in the sector and will be required to comply with the code of conduct. They will not make the decision on the code — the decision making process is clear — but will have some sense of ownership of the requirements imposed on them. This would lead to greater responsibility, more engagement by professionals, enhanced understanding of what is required of them and possibly even better public awareness of the requirements and duties included in a code of conduct. This kind of process is of benefit in itself but it would also ensure the code of conduct developed is the best one for patients. In that sense, I hope an amendment such as this can be accepted by the Minister because it firmly sets the idea that when one is developing a code of conduct, the people must be engaged in that development. It is not that they will necessarily determine the outcome but that they feed in and the system of any code will be more robust as a consequence of that kind of inclusion.

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