Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I hear what the Minister is saying and it is a clearer response than what I was picking up in the first instance. That may be as much my fault, or mine alone, but what I read from what the Minister is saying is that it might be a good idea, and then there is a "but". We need to recognise that this Bill is about encouraging and facilitating the greatest possible generic substitution and all of the consequent savings that can be made both in terms of the public purse and the private pocket. At some point along the way, in terms of preparing legislation, we have got to make calls in regard to all of these issues. It can be very frustrating. It might be a good idea and it might actually work. We must be able to make the transition from one to the other. Kicking the can down the road is an oft-trundled out phrase but we must prepare legislation that will, to all the best information available, do its job, and I believe there is a strong case to be made for this particular change. The Minister indicated in his last remarks that this is being carefully considered rather than will be considered and on that basis I am willing to accept that that is where we are at now and trust in the Minister of State's efforts to ensure that will produce the required change at the earliest opportunity.

I welcome that and will be guided on my position vis-à-vis Chapter 2 and the other chapters. Accordingly, I will withdraw amendment No. 5.

See this speech in context