asked the Minister for Health why a general medical service patient can be supplied with the anovulent pill free of charge through her local pharmacy, whereas when prescribed other contraceptive devices the local pharmacy and the health board are unable to supply them.

Anovulent pills may be provided as "drugs or medicines" under the general medical service. The situation regarding artificial contraceptives is being dealt with in legislation which is at present before the Oireachtas.

I did not hear the Minister. Did he say that other than anovulent pills can be supplied free?

Yes, under the general medical service. They can be provided as drugs and medicines.

14.

asked the Minister for Health if any contraceptive devices other than the anovulent pill have been supplied by health boards under the General Medical Service.

Devices for contraceptive purposes are not supplied under the general medical service. I am aware, however, of one instance where a health board inadvertently paid for contraceptive devices which were dispensed on a special prescription form.

Will the Minister state what will be the position under the new Bill? Will other than anovulent pills be supplied?

I suggest to the Deputy that he will have ample opportunity to raise questions in this whole area in discussion of the Bill.

Surely the Minister must know the position? It is a simple question.

I have answered the question as it was put to me.

I asked the Minister this question this morning. What Deputy Browne is saying is the situation that will prevail under the new Bill.

I will reply to all the points made on the contraceptive matter——

What is the secret?

There is no secret. The Deputy has a habit of coming in here at odd intervals and making these tendentious statements. I have answered both questions which the Deputy has put down.

The Minister should not get annoyed so easily. I asked a simple question.

The Deputy did not bother coming in this morning when the Bill in which he purports to be so interested was being discussed.

The Minister should not worry. I will make up for that. I just want the Minister to answer my question.

I have answered the question.

The Minister should know that a rise in blood pressure is very bad for his health. Have the Health Education Bureau not spoken to him about it? It has been happening too often in this House.