Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The same considerations do not apply in respect of all these organisations, but I shall make a general point. We have promised to undertake work between the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on the issue of amending section 4 of the Competition Act 2004 in a manner consistent with EU competition law and national policy. This is the undertaking we have given. People will understand that it cannot easily be circumvented or wished away, since there is an EU competition law component that is directly applicable here. We have undertaken to find out how it might be possible to amend the section in the context of the exercise being undertaken by Dr. Barry and others as regards the ability to deal with drug usage in this country and provide savings, which we believe might be significant in that area. On our part it is an issue of good faith to see whether this can be done in a manner consistent with EU competition law and national policy.

See this speech in context