Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Cannon in regard to REPS payments for farmers and concur with Senator Fitzgerald on the urgency of the crisis pertaining to pharmacists. Between now and 1 March, I ask the Leader to use his good office to ensure all preconditions contained in the interim contract proposed by the Minister for Health and Children for pharmacists are removed and that the contract is renegotiated. If that does not happen, we will face the prospect of rural pharmacies closing. On Monday, I was told by 60 pharmacists in Oranmore that they will have to cut between one and three staff in each pharmacy. The sickest in our community will be the ones to suffer.