Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to be associated with the comments of various Senators about Seanad 100 yesterday. For many of us, it was a special occasion. I thank the Cathaoirleach and all the staff involved for arranging it.

I wish to raise two issues with the Deputy Leader, the first of which is the shortage of medication throughout the State. In several recent conversations I had with my local pharmacist, he told me that his concerns about this issue had increased in the past number of months. Finding it impossible to source prescribed medication, he finds himself more and more on the phone with GPs in my town of Athy asking whether he can substitute it with another. In recent days, a growing number of pharmacists have called on the Government to put in place a serious shortage protocol, which I am told would allow pharmacists to dispense alternative medications to patients, given the supply difficulties that many are experiencing with more commonly used prescription drugs.It appears from reading and listening to statements by several pharmacists in recent days that many drugs for front-line treatments are currently not available. Suppliers report to pharmacists that it could be mid-February or even March before such drugs are available again. It has been reported in the last couple of days that 187 different medications are currently out of stock, including drugs used to treat cancer, blood pressure and infections. I would appreciate if time was given to debate this important matter with the Minister for Health as a matter of urgency.

Secondly, I welcome the signing by the Minister of State with responsibility for local government and planning at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Deputy Peter Burke, of new regulations that will require a changing places toilet to be included in certain buildings. The Leader will know, as will other Members, that I have raised this matter a number of times in this House after being contacted by a number of families who are being forced to change their loved ones in the backs of cars or on cold floors of unsuitable toilet facilities. In his statement, the Minister of State reports that up to 80 extra changing places toilets could be provided nationwide each year in buildings such as schools, healthcare facilities, shopping centres and hotels. It is currently estimated that there are only 19 changing places facilities in Ireland, so an additional 80 per year would be a great improvement for many families.