Brendan Ryan (Labour)

I am still not clear. As Senator Browne said the explanatory memorandum states, the section enables "the Irish Medicines Board to issue licences, permits and authorisations in respect of controlled drugs for various purposes including manufacture and supply, import and export". If that is the case then the Minister has no function. If the Minister has a function then the board is not enabled to do that task.

My only problem with ministerial responsibility is the fact that Ministers want the glory. When the day arrives when a new road or motorway is not opened or announced by a Minister and both are done by the National Roads Authority I will accept there is no ministerial responsibility for building a road. What frustrates the Oireachtas is that Ministers want to be seen to make the announcement of good news but when life gets complicated they say it is not the Minister's responsibility. It either is or is not the Minister's responsibility.

I believe that decisions such as this are best taken by a group of competent people. I happened to agree with the Irish Medicines Board on St. John's wort but I must listen to other wise and experienced voices. I am satisfied St. John's wort is potentially dangerous and without regulation would do harm.

Wearing a different hat and declaring an interest, I teach people who work in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products. Does the Department currently, and will the Irish Medicines Board in future, provide licence approval for the export of pharmaceuticals out of the country? What work can the Department or the IMB do to deal with the significant Internet trade in what are effectively prescription drugs? I have no idea what harm is being done to people by drugs that have come through no quality assurance scheme. I am not trying to lead the Minister of State astray, but these are valid issues under section 4.