Ivor Callely (Fianna Fail)

The Health Service Executive, HSE, and the Irish Pharmaceutical Union, IPU, are on a collision course that would have a detrimental impact on the supply of medication. I understand Senator O'Toole's call for clarity and debate on the issue. The Government has agreed complex pricing structures, with the Pharmaceutical Distributors Federation of Ireland, PDF, the manufacturing side, the wholesalers, and retailers. Will the Leader arrange for a factsheet to be drawn up for Members of the House, setting out the position regarding the HSE and the IPU? I have endeavoured to obtain such a sheet for the past few days and have been unable to do so.

The issue has been raised in other fora at which the Minister appears, asking her to resolve this issue by responding to the dictate issued by the HSE on 17 September that will take effect on 1 December and could have a detrimental effect on patients. Time is running out — 1 December is just a few days away. I ask, therefore, that this House agree a motion without debate that Seanad Éireann calls for an independent person to be appointed to help resolve the problems between the HSE and the IPU.