Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

Can the Leader invite the Minister to the House? It is important we have a debate and that the Minister outline to the House the contingency plans if 700 pharmacists opt out of dispensing medicines to medical card holders. These are old and young vulnerable people who are on treatment and need medicine the most. Senator Ross is correct. What is the plan? We do not want people to be deprived of medicines, taken to hospital and possibly dying.

I also ask the Leader that during such a debate we would discuss small pharmacists, such as Mary Shinnick who runs the North Gate Pharmacy in Cork city, and not big conglomerates. We should be a voice for the small people who are struggling and are doing their very best to survive in a very competitive market against chains of pharmacies. It is important to have such a debate. Does the Minister have a contingency plan? It is fine to talk like Rambo, but if she acts like Bambi the people will suffer. We need to have a contingency plan if the 700 pharmacists opt out.