Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

A number of points have been made. In respect of the main point made by Deputy Kenny, the HSE had contracts with 1,600 pharmacists. If anybody wishes to break from this contract, he or she must give three months notice. That is the legal fixed position. In respect of interim arrangements, if nobody has declined the contract, that is the position. As Deputy Kenny stated, people should not take precipitative action. I do not want them to do that either.

The Department of Health and Children understands that preliminary interests have been expressed by pharmacy chains and individual pharmacies in the new interim contract offered by the HSE. However, definitive information on possible take-up is not available from the HSE. A preliminary meeting was held recently between the HSE and the Irish Pharmaceutical Union to discuss the contractual matters.

In respect of pricing, I understand that we deferred it. Deputies Kenny and Gilmore raised the matter in October and November and we took an active interest in it at that stage. I understand that it was deferred on 1 November.

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