Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)

The pharmacy sector has also endured reduced costs. I believe the emphasis of Government should be on ensuring that our budget deficit and bank credit issues are to the forefront. These are our priorities and will be the forerunners to recovery of our businesses.

While Deputy Varadkar's proposals are well-intentioned, the reality is that the issues involved are a lot more complex than he recognises. That the Labour Party does not support his proposals speaks volumes in terms of the future and the alternative Government of which Fine Gael and the Labour Party continually speak. There are clear ideological differences between both parties and not only on the business front.

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