Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

In the absence of committees, on a matter we addressed earlier this afternoon, will the Government facilitate an opportunity to address in this House the content of the recent report prepared by the Comptroller and Auditor General? In the absence of committees there is no provision for addressing the serious matters that he highlights. I asked this of the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, last Thursday and he indicated he had no issue with the matter being facilitated if the whips would agree. Also, will the Taoiseach indicate to the Chief Whip that the matter is something to which the whips could agree in the course of their deliberations tomorrow?

Second, given the impending crisis in the pharmacy sector, which is relevant to the Order of Business, there are serious concerns about the contentious new payment system being introduced by the HSE. Will the Government bring forward the Pharmacy (No. 2) Bill in order that these serious matters can be addressed in this House?

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