Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

The Minister reminds me of St. Paul riding his horse into Damascus, except she has not yet fallen off her horse or been politically converted. Why is she being confrontational on an issue on which there was scope for agreement and compromise? She and her Government colleagues have instilled fear in ordinary people. I use the Northgate pharmacy in Cork city, a simple operation run by a woman and her daughter who act as the friends, counsellors and confidantes of many of their customers. Why is the Minister placing them under severe pressure?

The viability of community pharmacists in rural and urban areas is being put at risk. What contingency plans are in place in the event that the Irish Pharmaceutical Union decides this week that enough is enough? The Minister indicated that 300 people telephoned the helpline before the deadline expired. What will happen when chaos looms? What contingency plans are in place? We have spin and bluster from the Department when we need answers and reassurance.