Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 211: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the circumstances under which a South African trained pharmacist might be able to practice as a pharmacist here; and if she will make a statement on the criteria that non-EU and non-EEA trained pharmacists must fulfil in order to practice here. [34803/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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To be eligible to register as a pharmacist in Ireland, a candidate must have completed a recognised degree in pharmacy and have undergone a year's training in practice. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, the PSI, is the professional organisation for pharmacy in Ireland. All practising pharmacists in Ireland must be registered with the PSI.

Pharmacists from outside the EU/EEA, Australia and New Zealand have in the past registered under the adjudication route of the society. However, the PSI experienced difficulties in the operation of this route of registration. In order to address these difficulties, the PSI submitted a proposal for amended regulations to the Minister at that time. However the PSI's proposals for amended regulations are not possible under current legislation and an amendment to the Pharmacy Act is required. The PSI has suspended the adjudicating route of registration and is unable, at this time, to consider any application for registration under this route.

A Government decision was taken in June 2005 to introduce new pharmacy legislation. The legislation will take the form of a Bill which will remove the derogation on EU/EEA qualified pharmacists, introduce fitness to practice regulations and give an appropriate statutory basis for the PSI. It will also address the problems with the adjudication route of registration. This bill will be introduced as a priority. A more detailed second Bill will follow which will legislate for pharmacy practice and the delivery of pharmaceutical services. I intend to have the first Bill introduced as soon as possible.