Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 247: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her recent proposals to resolve the ongoing dispute with the pharmacists with particular reference to the need to enter into open-ended discussions with the pharmacists union; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35584/07]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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To address concerns expressed by the Irish Pharmaceutical Union (IPU), on behalf of community pharmacists, about the implications of the legal advice on competition law on their right to negotiate fees through the Union, a process of dialogue was established, chaired by Bill Shipsey SC, to explore ways in which concerns raised by the IPU about the implications of this legal advice might be addressed. I am also exploring, in consultation with the Attorney General, the other relevant Government Departments and the HSE, the best way of progressing the development of a new contract with pharmacists. Any new process would have to be consistent with competition law. There is ongoing engagement between the IPU and the Health Service Executive (HSE) under the auspices of Mr. Shipsey and, in view of the progress in this regard, the HSE has decided to defer the implementation of the new reimbursement rates planned to take effect for community pharmacists on 1st December 2007 to a later date.