Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

It was not brought forward in order that the Government could dismiss an efficient and effective system. On a practical level, why would the HSE, with the Minister's approval, enter into negotiations that will create a bureaucratic nightmare and make the HSE worse than it already is? The delivery of service on the ground will be a disaster and pharmacies will be destroyed.

Many young pharmacists have set up or bought into pharmacies, and have borrowed to the hilt to do so. There are many family-run pharmacies which provide a fantastic services for communities. As a matter of urgency, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, must force the HSE, particularly Professor Brendan Drumm, to honour his commitment to set up this independent process and sit down with the IPU. The IPU will consider introducing cost reductions but the Government needs to move. We do not want a situation where it abdicates its responsibilities to patients on the ground and pharmacists nationally.

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