John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 347: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the requirements and procedures in place for Irish citizens who have qualified as pharmacists in the United States to gain recognition to practice as pharmacists here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12878/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The relevant statutory regulatory body for the registration of pharmacists in Ireland is the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland (PSI) and all queries regarding the specifics of the qualifications required to become registered to practice pharmacy in the State should be addressed to them. The PSI registers non-EU\EEA pharmacists by way of its "adjudication route of registration". As you may be aware the Society has currently suspended this route. I might add that the Society did submit amended regulations to me for approval; however, the legal advice was that there are legal difficulties with these amended regulations in the context of the current legislation and they cannot be approved. I should also make you aware that new pharmacy legislation is currently before the Oireachtas and among the issues being addressed is that of registration of pharmacists, including non-EU\EEA pharmacists. I understand that the PSI is at an advanced stage in preparing new regulations, dealing with the registration of pharmacists by way of their "adjudication route", and will submit them for my approval when the new Pharmacy Bill is enacted.