Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I echo the sentiments of Senator McCallion on the North-South Ministerial Council and the special committee on Brexit. I want to raise the issue of the stockpiling of medicines. The global pandemic has placed great strain on the lives of many people over recent months. We have seen heroic work by those on the front line in the health sector. The Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response has heard evidence from nursing, medical and healthcare professionals about how unprepared we were, including the lack of personal protective equipment, PPE, and the lack of supports to nursing homes.

Two weeks ago the Minister, Deputy Eamon Ryan, was with us and we passed the National Oil Reserves Agency (Amendment) and Provision of Central Treasury Services Bill 2020. It provides that Ireland must have a 90-day supply of oil as part of a national strategic stockpile so we can respond to an emergency. However, we have no stockpile of medicine or PPE. The Irish Pharmacy Union sent us information this week stating that 97% of pharmacists report an increase of medicine shortages over the past 12 months and 92% of them believe it is going to get worse next year. A stockpile of medicines may be more important than a stockpile of oil. Concerns were raised by pharmacists about medicine shortages in recent days. Members will also have received a report from David Delaney, chairperson of Medicines for Ireland, the Irish pharmaceutical trade association, which supplies the majority of medicines to the HSE and patients directly. It has identified significant risks to the supply of medicines associated with a no-deal Brexit.

We need to heed the warnings because all of us have family, friends and constituents who are on life-saving medication. We must ensure that they are protected. I ask the Deputy Leader to consider holding a debate on the issues in the autumn. I will be in touch with the Minister for Health on the matter myself. It makes sense to examine whether Ireland should have a national medicines reserve similar to those in the UK and the USA. If Covid has taught us anything, it is that we need contingency plans and to be prepared for emergencies.