Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 92: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to a previous parliamentary question that it is open to any party to make a submission to the Competition Authority under Section 4(5) of the Competition Act 2002 to request that the Authority make a declaration under Section 4(3) of the Act in relation to negotiations between parties which may be in breach of the Act, the reason she has not made a submission to the Competition Authority seeking such to enable the Health Service Executive to negotiate an agreement on fees and services with self-employed undertakings such as pharmacists and general practitioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9875/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 93: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to a previous parliamentary question, if she will make a submission to the Competition Authority under Section 4 (5) of the Competition Act 2002 seeking that the Authority make a declaration under Section 4(3) of the Act in respect of negotiations by the Health Service Executive with pharmacists and general practitioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9876/08]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 94: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to a previous parliamentary question, if she will instruct the Health Service Executive to make a submission to the Competition Authority under Section 4 (5) of the Competition Act 2002 seeking that the Authority make a declaration under Section 4(3) of the Act in respect of negotiations by the HSE with pharmacists and general practitioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9877/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 92 to 94, inclusive, together.

I have no plans to approach the Competition Authority in the manner proposed by the Deputy or to instruct the Health Service Executive to do so.

As I indicated in my reply to question numbers 97 and 77 of 28 February 2008, my Department is at present working, in consultation with relevant Government Departments and with the HSE, to devise appropriate new arrangements for the development and the pricing of contracts with self-employed professionals for the provision of key health services in the community.