With regard to the Minister's reply, particularly relating to the reference of three doctors to the medical council, was this for over-prescription of drugs or prescribing particular drugs? Has the question of criminal proceedings been considered in relation to these doctors?

I am sure the Deputy is aware that the matter largely relates to the regulations under the misuse of drugs legislation and to what is known as irresponsible prescribing. I am precluded from giving further details because there are a number of appeals and a number of committee of inquiry proceedings going on at the moment. I assure the Deputy that in any incident where the Garda investigations have brought to my attention irresponsible prescribing — I have now had at least five such incidents throughout the country — I immediately took action on it, either reference to the medical council or took temporary directions under the legislation.