Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

Fine Gael welcomes this Bill as a way of meeting the challenge of guaranteeing public safety. The past number of years have brought significant changes to the role of pharmacies in Ireland and we need to plan for the future.

The Minister stated her intention to introduce amendments on Committee Stage. However, we have not yet seen these amendments. It would be helpful to us if we could have them as soon as possible because it would allow us to determine whether we need to bring our own amendments on certain issues.

The original pharmacy legislation dates from 1875 and was updated in 1890 and 1962. This Bill represents a further step in that process.

As I listened to the Minister's speech, I began to question the effectiveness of this House. When we debated the Irish Medicines Board (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2005, we discussed the issue of illegal drugs. Cocaine, heroin and other illegal drugs are imported on a daily basis and we are hitting only the tip of the iceberg in terms of controlling them. The Internet sale of drugs has also given rise to problems of control. It is all fine and well to pass this Bill but, unless we deal with these wider issues, we are only fooling ourselves. They will not be easy to resolve and I am not sure of the solution. I have long been puzzled, however, as to why this island nation cannot have more control over illegal drug imports. Unfortunately, when people are sick, they will turn to anything they think will make them better. At the very least, taking medicines will have no effect but at worst people could actually become sicker. We have to make people aware of the risks of buying drugs over the Internet. Solving that problem will present a major challenge for everyone but there is no point in deluding ourselves that this Bill will solve all the problems. The Bill addresses the easy aspects but the bigger problem is the illegal drug trade and Internet sale of medicines, over which we have very little control.

What is the composition of the membership of the council and how often will it change? Will ministerial appointees automatically fall at the end of a Government's term in office?