James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

Notwithstanding all the above and despite severe provocation by the HSE, I call on the IPU to ensure there is no diminution of service to patients. I ask for the forbearance of pharmacists, despite all their frustrations, and hope the Minister will yield to pressure from her backbenchers, who are clearly very ill at ease with her modus operandi.

In recent weeks, this issue and the issues of cystic fibrosis and autism have been discussed on the floor of the Dáil. We have heard Government backbenchers, including some senior, experienced Deputies, decry the Government position, yet they vote with the Government. I find this extraordinary and I find the explanation offered, namely, that this is the way politics works, unacceptable. It is not the future of politics I see for this country. It is not what people elect their representatives for. They expect their representatives to have the courage of their convictions, and the courage of one's convictions is not just to stand up and speak it as it is, but also to use one's vote to ensure that it happens. Whether it be children with autism, young adults with cystic fibrosis, people suffering with chronic illness or others with disabilities who require continuous medication, we need Deputies who will vote to ensure that these services are delivered and maintained.

The pharmacists have a three-month notice clause in their contract and, as a result, the Minister claims patients have nothing to fear. However, the reality is that methadone dispensing was withdrawn without any such notice being given. This is scant reassurance to the many people who are worried about their medication. My colleague, Deputy P. J. Sheehan from Goleen, County Cork, was visited in his clinic last week by an elderly lady in tears because she was so distressed at the prospect of not being able to get her medication. Deputy Seymour Crawford knows of a lady with a disabled child who similarly wonders how she will manage to get her medication.

I again implore the Minister to stand back from this action and allow the excellent Mr. Dorgan, whose credentials she has outlined, to come to his conclusions. She will then be more likely to have the support of the House for her action. To proceed before this happens will be to possibly put at risk the well-being of many of our most vulnerable citizens.

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