(Mayo): Thank you, a Cheann Comhairle, for choosing this issue. The decision by the Western Health Board to refuse the application for a licence to operate a community pharmacy in Knock came as a shock to the community. One will recall that when the Pope visited Ireland in 1979 he clearly told the world audience from the specially erected altar outside the basilica at Knock, “I am now at the goal of my journey”. Small wonder then that the people of Knock are still in disbelief that an international pilgrimage centre, which has played no small part in helping to put Ireland on the world map, should be denied such a basic service as access to an over the counter pharmacy service.
How the chief executive officer of the Western Health Board, in the light of the huge annual pilgrim and tourist influx to Knock, should unilaterally decide on 5 January last to refuse the application for a community pharmacy is simply incredible. Every year 1.5 million tourists and pilgrims visit Knock. One can imagine the incredulity when they inquire about a chemist only to be told by embarrassed local shopkeepers, "Sorry, we do not have pharmacy here. You must travel seven miles to Ballyhaunis, six miles to Kiltimagh, seven miles to Kilkelly or seven miles to Claremorris to buy medicines and have prescriptions filled".
It must be realised that a large percentage of the visitors and pilgrims travel to Knock by bus. Therefore, they cannot travel to the surrounding towns if they need a pharmacist unless they hire a taxi or a hackney. It must also be appreciated that, because of the age profile of many of these people and because a certain percentage of them are suffering illnesses, they are obviously in the category which is likely to require medicines and they come to Knock on the understandable presumption that there must be pharmacy services available.
Even if Knock never was a place of international pilgrimage, its recent growth and current population make a compelling case for the licensing of a pharmacy. The returns from the 1996 census speak for themselves. A breakdown of the different district electoral divisions indicates that Knock north had a population of 645, of whom 135 were over 65; Knock south had 741, of whom 224 were over 65; Ballyhowley had 442, of whom 76 were over 65 and Bekan, a substantial portion of which comes within the Knock catchment, had a population of 748, of which 154 were over 65. In total, there are 2,589 permanent residents, of whom 589 or 23% were over 65.
All the indications are that in the intervening four years there has been a substantial increase in house building activity and a commensurate increase in the population of Knock. The recent petition, hastily put together but avidly signed by the Knock community, reinforces the need and demand. Modern Knock clearly meets the criterion.
I appreciate that the Minister might be advised that there are two dispensing doctors who service the Knock area and that this is being used as an excuse for denying Knock a pharmacy licence. Let us be clear, such an arrangement is totally inadequate. These doctors cannot be available 24 hours a day and at weekends, which is a time of greatest influx of pilgrims.
Knock is entitled to a fully fledged pharmacy service of its own. It meets the criteria in terms of its resident population. Its entitlement is enhanced and beyond yea or nay by the massive annual pilgrim influx. If there is to be any doubt about its viability, the fact that three pharmacists have applied and tendered to locate in Knock answers comprehensively that question.
Only the Minister of State, Deputy Moffatt, or the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, can overturn the decision by the chief executive officer, and I ask him to do so. I ask him not to do so on the basis of a favour, making an exception or bending rules but on the merits of the case and the proven need. I ask him to do so now before the new pilgrim season begins.
