I welcome recent moves by the Government to begin discussions around pharmacy services and fees. The fact remains that core dispensing fees have been frozen for the past 15 years and that average dispensing fees across all State schemes have increased by a significant amount in real terms. This is coupled with a large increase in the amount of dispensing happening in pharmacies across the State. In County Donegal, we have 62 pharmacies. They are part of the fabric of our rural communities. They provide far more than just our dispensing function. For many people, they have also have an important social function. Will the Taoiseach give a commitment that the discussions on this matter will be fast-tracked to a conclusion in order that measures to address the Irish Pharmacy Union’s valid concerns can be included in the forthcoming budget?

I thank the Deputy. The Minister for Health is keen to engage with community pharmacists about fees and about what additional services they might be willing to provide in return for improved fees. That is a conversation they are up for. They did a very good job on the vaccine programme and have risen to many challenges that we have asked them to rise to. I cannot give the Deputy a commitment on the timeline because it takes two sides to negotiate. A great deal will depend on how willing both sides, including the pharmacy side, are to make concessions and move ground.