Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

I thank the House for facilitating the speedy passage of this Bill. It has been passed by the Oireachtas, completed its parliamentary process and within the next ten days will be signed into law by the President. It is truly an historic moment for pharmacists, the pharmacy profession and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.

I especially thank Members of the House, the Bills Office which was put under enormous pressure, the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and, last but not least, Mr. Colm Desmond and Mr. Tom McGuinn, who sat behind me during the debate, and Mr. Tom Monks who is not present today. These three officials worked extraordinarily hard under a very tight deadline to ensure this became law.

I gave a commitment that this Bill would be passed into law on my watch, which is not to state I do not intend to have a watch after the rendezvous with reality in a few weeks' time. I was determined this would be done and I am very pleased it has been. It provides a modern framework for the regulation of the pharmacy profession in Ireland. It is long overdue and it is terrific we now have it. It will be a cause of great solace to the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland. I thank it and the IPU which made invaluable contributions to the formation of the Bill at many stages. Their contributions were insightful, well informed and helpful and the Bill is the stronger for their co-operation and input.