Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)

The first thing is that I issued a press release in relation to this and then went on a media outlet. I must check when the Deputy last went on a media outlet and whether she regards that as an effective way of communicating either her party's position or to her constituents in any way.

It is certainly a way for the Government to communicate, as we often do. The fact that we go on a different show means what, exactly, aside from being a way of communicating directly and taking questions, having issued a press release and having engaged? There is no question of power in this regard; it is a question of delivering for women. I suggest, very carefully, that the Deputy goes back and discusses the IT system issues with whoever has briefed her regarding it. I have correspondence that says there are no IT issues, and we should watch that progress over the coming days and weeks.

I acknowledge the lack of HRT. There is an issue of medicine shortages across Europe, as we have discussed before. That is precisely why I have tried to recognise the experience and expertise of pharmacists to make sure they are recognised for what they do. I am not exactly sure what the Deputy would have me do differently. I made them two offers: one was an uplift of 20% and the other was an offer to charge anything they liked. I am not sure what the Labour Party position would have me do on behalf of the women of Ireland in order to get this effected, but perhaps the Deputy might advise me.

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