Brendan Ryan (Labour)

Last week in the Pharmacy Bill absolute privilege was extended to what is essentially a private body, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, in terms of its procedures for investigating complaints against pharmacists. I am at a loss to understand why the concept of absolute privilege should apply in the case of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland but not in the case of a body established by the State to look after the rights of patients. Nasty and unpleasant threats of litigation by sometimes powerful figures could be directed against well intentioned and conscientious public servants. That is the reason the concept of absolute privilege is necessary in these cases. It is a pity there will be what appears to be two different regimes.