Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

I am extremely concerned about the current situation as regards the pharmacists and their negotiations with the HSE. There is still a deadline of 1 March in place. There appears to be a great deal of intransigence on the part of the HSE and the Government in this regard. I wish to propose an amendment to the Order of Business as I want the Minister for Health and Children to outline her position and that of the Government in relation to the deadline of 1 March. This matter needs urgent attention in the House today.

Deputies and Senators from all sides of the Oireachtas spoke yesterday at the Joint Committee for Health and Children about their concerns in this regard. Fine Gael was extremely concerned about the potential closure of rural pharmacies. We are told many pharmacies will have to close and lose staff. Patients will suffer, the vulnerable, the sick, the elderly who need to attend these pharmacies.