Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome recent moves by the Government to begin discussions around pharmacy services and fees. The fact remains that core dispensing fees have been frozen for the past 15 years and that average dispensing fees across all State schemes have increased by a significant amount in real terms. This is coupled with a large increase in the amount of dispensing happening in pharmacies across the State. In County Donegal, we have 62 pharmacies. They are part of the fabric of our rural communities. They provide far more than just our dispensing function. For many people, they have also have an important social function. Will the Taoiseach give a commitment that the discussions on this matter will be fast-tracked to a conclusion in order that measures to address the Irish Pharmacy Union’s valid concerns can be included in the forthcomingbudget?

See this speech in context