Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. The Minister, Deputy Harris, told me yesterday that he has not received the submission. The Minister of State has outlined the difficulties that exist. Both the Irish Pharmacy Union and Fianna Fáil have made submissions to the PSI, but neither of us has received a reply. There is no explanation or rationale for the PSI's proposal to downgrade the role of pharmaceutical assistants. I propose that the PSI should be brought before the Joint Committee on Health and the Committee of Public Accounts to explain why it wants to downgrade a professional service provided by people who have done their jobs professionally over many years. As I said in my opening remarks, it is baffling that these changes are being proposed at this time. As my colleague, Deputy Butler, said, this measure will put rural pharmacies and sole traders under extreme pressure. I ask that representatives of the PSI be brought before the two committees I have mentioned to explain why this approach is being adopted.

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