Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to allow me to speak on this important issue. All Deputies in the House support and appreciate the work of our local pharmacists and staff. We commend and value their efforts. Pharmacies deliver on a very important part of our health service that works, but now pharmacists feel they are being shafted by HSE senior management. The members of the IPU feel that the HSE is undermining the ability of pharmacists to provide us all with medicines under the Government schemes. We in this House and the HSE have a responsibility to deal with this high cost issue, especially for patients. However, I will not take any guff from the senior management of the HSE about efficiency and cost savings. I stress that I am talking about the senior management, not the staff who are doing an excellent job, often against the odds. The senior management of the HSE has squandered taxpayers' money.

I always look for value for money for taxpayers and for the protection of our citizens, but I will also fight for a quality pharmacy service that members of the IPU provide. I challenge those who try to damage the good name and integrity of the IPU. Its members provide a quality service and they deserve our support, which they will get in this debate.

Like many of my colleagues, I have been lobbied by patients and local pharmacies. Mr. Michael Pyne MPSI, from Costello's pharmacy in Marino wrote to me and stated:

It is with deep concern that I write to you at this time. The HSE is refusing to engage with an agreed independent process to facilitate the drawing up of a new contract between the HSE and local independent pharmacies. The HSE has issued to this pharmacy a proposal that will have a devastating impact on the service levels, staffing levels and opening hours we provide to this community at present. This is why I am appealing to you all at this time to help me protect Costello's Pharmacy from the HSE.

Cathal, Kate, Margaret, Denisa and I work hard to keep this pharmacy open 65 hours a week and provide the highest levels of general advice and pharmacy care to each and every person who comes through the door. The proposed action which the HSE is due to introduce on March 1st 2008 will in my opinion seriously undermine these services and the jobs of the people that are employed there. This is our community resource. Please help me to keep it open.

Many Deputies will have received hundreds of similar letters. Our local pharmacy provides vital services for our community, dispensing medicine, personal care, reinsurance and expert medical advice. The pharmacist knows the people in our community and takes care of them. This service, which cannot be replaced once it has been lost, is vital for the health care system.

I urge the parties involved to show common sense, have open minds and engage in independent arbitration. Above all, I urge support for the excellent service provided by pharmacies and for the patients in our health service.

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