asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of a report (details supplied) that less than 50 per cent of families have access to pharmacists and doctors who agree to operate the provision of the Health (Family Planning) Act, 1979 in relation to the sale of contraceptives; if he considers this to be satisfactory; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Sale of Contraceptives.
6.
I have seen the report to which the Deputy refers. It seems to be based solely on an opinion expressed by three doctors about the extent to which the provisions of the Health (Family Planning) Act will become effective. I do not share this opinion.
Has the Minister carried out an investigation into this report and, if so, can he give details?
We have carried out some investigations and we have information which is better than might be obtained by asking questions around the country. We know the number of import licences their movement and distribution throughout the country. So far nine million condoms have been imported and these have been distributed fairly generally throughout the country. We will examine the situation further when the position settles down.
Would the Minister agree that this legislation was brought in to produce an Irish solution to an Irish problem and that one of the undertakings very clearly given by the Government was that contraceptives would be available from pharmacists to those who wished to avail of them? Would not the Minister agree that there is considerable public evidence, as distinct from opinion in the media, that this is not the case? Instead of talking in gross numbers on a national basis, would he deal with the question in relation to different towns throughout the country?
One of the surveys to which the comments refer was carried out within a very short period — less than one month — of the introduction of the regulations and this was too short a time, as was shown by the comments by importers. We know from them that some of the chemists who said initially that they would not be stocking contraceptives subsequently came back seeking stocks fairly urgently. The second survey showed that in each of the cities which were surveyed there was at least one chemist supplying and, presumably, in some places there were more. If there is at least one supplier, then a supply will be available and that person will do the business which is available.
Am I correct in understanding that there are £9 million worth of stock in the country?
No, nine million items.
Is there any breakdown into medical and non-medical categories?
The figure relates to condoms. There has been a considerable increase in other forms, particularly the diaphram, for which there has been a wider demand than had been initially anticipated by pharmicists. If the Deputy wants further information I will communicate with him or he may put down another question.
I will put down a further question. Does the figure of nine million refer to applications to import or actual imports?
Actual imports up to early January.
From when to when?
From 1 November.
A final supplementary from Deputy Quinn.
You are being carried kicking and screaming into the twentieth century.
Since the Minister has refuted the figure of 50 per cent in Deputy Horgan's question, can he state on the basis of monitoring carried out by his Department the percentage of Irish families who now have access to doctors and pharmacists who agree to operate the provisions of the Health (Family Planning) Act, 1979?
That information is not available to me at present but I will endeavour to get the information if the Deputy puts down a question.
The House is being misled. I do not see how the Minister can categorically deny the report to which the question refers when he does not know the answer.
Question No. 7 is for written reply. I am calling Question No. 8.
The Minister is misleading the House on this issue. Either he knows the figure or he does not.
I know the figure.
If the Minister knows the figure, why will he not give it?
Question No. 8.