Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

——pharmacy (No. 2) Bill, there is no date for it as yet. As Members are aware, an independent body has been set up to consider these issues under the chairmanship of Seán Dorgan. I hope that in the interim, all sides will ensure there is no disruption of services to those who are entitled to them and that the contracts as presently set out will be honoured until new contracts are agreed. This should happen as quickly as possible and will be carried out under the auspices of an agreed facilitator. It also will be priced by an independent body. People are anxious to deal with the issues and to avoid unnecessary inconvenience to the public. As with an earlier issue, a responsible approach must be taken in order that such matters can be dealt with in a proper and professional fashion.

As for the question on applied behaviour analysis, ABA, which also was raised by Deputy Bruton, the House held a debate on this issue on foot of a Fine Gael Private Members' motion last week, in which everyone had an opportunity to air their views on. It is only fair to say that in the other House, the former general secretary of the INTO has stated as a matter of fact that no Minister has done more for autism than the present Minister in respect of the provision of resources.

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