Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

The amendment will further clarify the qualifications required. The section sets out the conditions which must be met to allow a person's qualifications be considered appropriate for practising pharmacy in the State. It deals with Irish, EU, EEA and non-EU qualifications. It gives the council the power to satisfy itself as to the appropriateness of any qualification and, if deemed necessary, to require the person to sit an examination or undergo such training as it may specify. These provisions do not interfere with the right of Irish and EU-EEA citizens to have their qualifications recognised under EU directives on qualifications and the free movement of professionals.