Donie Cassidy (Fianna Fail)

Senators Ross, Buttimer and Norris called for the Minister for Health and Children to come to the House to discuss the pharmacy situation. Despite all the legislation we have to debate and discuss before recess, this is an urgent matter. The situation facing the pharmacy sector and the Department of Health and Children is challenging. I will endeavour to have the Minister before the House in the next few days to update it on the serious situation regarding the withdrawal of contracts by pharmacists.

We all know the small family pharmacy is the backbone of our communities, parishes and everyone in our area. I do not want to see anything interfere with the services to which we have become accustomed and from which we have been getting a very good service. I have no difficulty holding an urgent debate in the House. As Senator Twomey and other colleagues remarked, this is an urgent matter and it is our duty to ensure we are updated on the situation with the Minister present.

Senator O'Donovan called for a debate on the fishing industry and fish farming, to which I have already made a commitment. Fish farming is a source of great potential for the country and any such debate should include rural development, everything to do with promoting tourism, particularly in rural areas, walking and all such activities, which are a great attraction and which is possible in our beautiful, scenic country. I endeavour to have this take place and I have already agreed to do so.

Senator Regan referred to the Local Government Bill and the value of Seanad Éireann, a topic I have already covered. Further taxes were implemented in the budget and we all await with bated breath 2 December next to see the difficult budget facing the country. I am not privy to what will be in that any more than the good Senator. However, the property tax was one of the reasons his party lost power in 1987 and I am sure we will all remember that in making up our minds about the budget.