Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I do not see it as a problem for people to procure medicine legally in other countries. I would hate to see people get excited about it. Ryanair would have major problems if the luggage of every passenger on every flight was to be inspected to see whether they procured medication legally abroad. The same would be true of Aer Lingus and all other operators bringing in tourists.

The point about a member of the public buying an antibiotic from a pharmacist in the North of Ireland is a bad example. There has been some discussion but no agreement on what products could be bought in the future. We are discussing a hypothetical example. Antibiotics are a bad example because we know that the legitimate prescription of antibiotics by medical practitioners has created significant resistance to bacteria.

I would hate to see another avenue by which wholesale or widespread unnecessary use of antibiotics was made possible. The medical profession, and others who study this matter, understand there is widespread abuse and overuse of antibiotics. The Government would not like it to become too easy to procure antibiotics. This caused serious problems in veterinary medicine, resulting in European legislation.

The issue regarding pharmacists is a legitimate concern for the public and will arise. If those living near the Border can obtain medicines in a pharmacy in the North which cannot be obtained in the South that puts the pharmacist in the South at a disadvantage. The customer is also disadvantaged because he or she would not want to pay €40 or €50 for a doctor's prescription for a drug which can be obtained legally in a pharmacy two miles up the road.