asked the Minister for Health when he will be in a position to introduce legislation to amend the Pharmacy Acts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Amendment of Pharmacy Acts.
18.
This legislation cannot be introduced until discussions between the Pharmaceutical Society and other interested bodies relating to certain matters coming within the scope of the Bill have been concluded.
A further difficulty arises out of the Supreme Court decision that provisions of the Solicitors Act relating to the removal of solicitors from the roll by the Incorporated Law Society are unconstitutional. The proposed pharmacy legislation contains a provision in relation to removal of names from the Register of Pharmaceutical Chemists by the Pharmaceutical Society. The effect of the Supreme Court decision is at present under examination by the Attorney General and the Department's legal adviser and, until the questions arising have been determined, it will not be possible to proceed with the amending pharmacy legislation.
Does the Minister think he will be in a position to introduce the legislation before the end of the year?
No, I cannot say that, because, until the way is clear in relation to the provisions of the Constitution, no legislation can be introduced.