Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

The Senator's point is interesting. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland will regulate pharmacists rather than doctors. Consequently, there would be no point in reporting the activities of a doctor to the society. It would be an appropriate matter for the Medical Council and any citizen, pharmacists included, is free to make a complaint. There will be stronger powers in this regard under the new legislation.

I refer to the question of conflicts of interest that I dealt with earlier. I forgot to make the point that the legislation will require anyone who is aware of economic or financial arrangements that are not in line with market trends to report it.