Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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Question 269: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when it is proposed to introduce a new Pharmacy Act; if the heads of such legislation have been approved by Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38490/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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As I have previously stated, I consider the first Pharmacy Bill a priority piece of legislation. The first Bill will deal with the governance of the Pharmaceutical Society, registration and fitness to practice issues. It will also remove the EU derogation for supervisory pharmacists (where only Irish-trained pharmacists can supervise pharmacies less than three years old). The general scheme and draft heads of the first Bill were approved by Government on 25th May 2006. Work on the drafting of the Bill is ongoing between my officials and the Parliamentary Counsel's Office. Subject to the Cabinet's approval, I hope to publish the Bill and present it to the Oireachtas before the end of the current session of the Oireachtas.