Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I again thank Deputy Brassil for raising this important matter. I share his view that pharmacists are always honourable and constructive in their engagement with the State. I referred on previous to our Brexit preparedness, an matter in respect of which there has been significant leadership shown by Darragh O'Loughlin, CEO of the IPU, in particular but also by pharmacists in general. Perhaps we are better prepared than other jurisdictions as a result of that constructive engagement and collaboration.

I want pharmacists to do more. Pharmacists want to do more. In order for them to do more, I accept that we need to provide more resources to them. That is why I want to start contract negotiations similar to those that led to a successful agreement with GPs. Some 95% of GPs voted in favour of the new agreement.

The law of the land revokes the existing regulations at the end of this year. The law of the land obliges me to put a new framework in place. The law of the land obligates me to consult representative bodies before doing that. That consultation is well under way. Letters have issued and meetings have taken place. A meeting with me will take place. A detailed and constructive submission has been received from the IPU and is being actively considered. We believe that there are efficiencies to be made. Pharmacists do not disagree with that. However, I am conscious of the fact that we will hopefully be sitting down in a few weeks' time to discuss a new contract. How those two interact is something to which I am giving a great deal of careful consideration.

The document submitted by the IPU is being actively considered at the most senior levels within my Department and by me. I will meet the IPU and we will decide how best to proceed in due course. It would not be constructive to go further than that today, particularly as the consultation process is ongoing, but I hear Deputy Brassil's compelling arguments clearly.

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