Ivana Bacik (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State and congratulate her on her new role. This is the first time Member of this House have had the pleasure of addressing her since her appointment.

I have no issue with these technical amendments. Indeed, the Bill is largely technical in nature. I appreciate that the Minister of State has accepted an amendment I tabled on Committee Stage in late 2019, which seems like another era, to give recognition to the category of pharmaceutical assistants. That amendment is to section 53. There are other technical amendments to some of the provisions contained in Part 4 and relating to the Pharmacy Act. The Minister of State's amendments Nos. 15 to 18, inclusive, are to that Part. I am grateful that she did not in any way change my amendment, which thus stands and recognises properly for the first time this small group of professionals. My mother, Rina Bacik, is a pharmaceutical assistant, so I am declaring a personal interest. Colleagues who were in the previous Seanad will recall that, when we debated this Bill last November, a group of pharmaceutical assistants were in the Gallery watching. They are keenly following this debate and are anxious to see the provision commenced as soon as possible. They are delighted that it will pass and that their grouping will be recognised. They number only 300 or so. The last person to qualify as a pharmaceutical assistant did so in 1986. They have been working in a professional capacity alongside pharmacists. I am pleased to see that they will get their due recognition and I hope to see this provision commenced as soon as possible after the Bill is passed.