Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

I am seeking a debate in the House in reaction to the Thatcherite tactics of the Health Service Executive in its negotiations with the pharmacists. If the HSE has its way many pharmacies in rural Ireland will be forced to closed. The Thatcherite tactics by the HSE have been exposed by the issuing of an interim contract on 9 January despite the express statement by the Government and the Minister for Health and Children to the effect that the dispute between the HSE and the Irish Pharmaceutical Union should be resolved by an independent body. The issuing of these contracts flies in the face of this Government's and Fianna Fáil's belief in social partnership and I seek a debate on this matter.