asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Tourism whether doctor's fees for writing prescriptions for contraceptives are subject to price control.

I understand that under the provisions of section 4(2) of the Health (Family Planning) Act, 1979 a registered medical practitioner may give a prescription or authorisation for a contraceptive when providing a service in accordance with the terms of that section. The fees for such services are subject to price control.

I am assuming that contraceptives will be subject to price control. Will they? The Minister referred to the services but he did not refer to the contraceptives themselves, did he?

I said that a registered medical practitioner may give a prescription or authorisation for a contraceptive when providing a service in accordance with the terms of that section of the Act I have mentioned. The fees for such services are subject to price control.