Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I would welcome a debate on the regional enterprise strategy. There is little doubt that the launch today of the action plan for jobs is a matter we should be debating here. Much work has been done on this issue by the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the conclusions of which are now coming to fruition in the context of some of the good results coming through. It continues to be the case that many believe the Government can solve all of these problems. However, these problems will be solved not by Government but ensuring that Government removes the shackles and hindrances to enterprise to create jobs.

One of the areas in retail that has been doing well is the pharmacy sector. At a meeting yesterday of the Joint Committee on Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation delegates from the pharmacy sector made a strong case for people with minor ailments not being obliged to visit their general practitioner in the first instance. In their view approximately 40% of all visits to GPs could be avoided if the first point of call for people with minor ailments was the pharmacy. Practically all pharmacies now have private consultation rooms. It appears to me that what the retail pharmacies are doing could solve many minor problems for people and result in a reduction in hospital and GP waiting lists. It is important that people not expect the Government to do everything but do something themselves to help.