Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 90: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on whether patient safety is robust under the current pharmacy legislation; the areas which she believes could be improved; her plans to improve these areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15512/06]

Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)
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Question 142: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she intends to publish the two promised pharmacy Bills; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15510/06]

Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Question 149: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans to improve patient safety within the practice of the pharmacy sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15511/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 90, 142 and 149 together.

The practice of pharmacy is governed by the Pharmacy Acts 1875 to 1962. The Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland is the regulatory body for the pharmacy profession. It works closely with pharmacists and other relevant authorities, such as the Health Service Executive, to ensure the safeguards under pharmacy and medicines legislation covering the sale and provision of medicines to the public are complied with.

The Pharmacy Acts are in need of updating and modernisation to reflect the current environment in which pharmacy services are provided. On foot of the recommendations of the pharmacy review group, the Government approved in June 2005 to commence the process of drafting new pharmacy legislation. The purpose of the planned legislation is to ensure the highest standards from pharmacists and the safe and effective delivery of pharmaceutical services.

The heads and general scheme of the first of two planned pharmacy Bills have now been drawn up. The first Bill will provide a modern statutory framework for the governance of the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland and the profession. It will introduce fitness to practice regulations for pharmacists and, as a consequence, allow for the removal of the restriction on pharmacists educated in other EU or EEA countries from owning, managing or supervising a pharmacy in Ireland that is less than three years old. It will also update the registration process for the profession.

The second Bill will deal with pharmacy practice and the delivery of pharmaceutical services. It will address the regulation of pharmacy and pharmacy services, general provisions on community pharmacy contracts for services, and any remaining recommendations of the pharmacy review group. Work will commence on this second Bill as soon as the first Bill has been completed.