Pay cuts: Health Minister Harney defends ‘vital’ cost-savings

HEALTH Minister Mary Harney defended the cuts in payments to pharmacists at a special meeting of Fianna Fáil TDs and senators last night.

Several of the Fianna Fáil members have been getting “grief” on the issue in their constituencies, one party source said last night.

This is both from the Irish Pharmacists’ Union, which has lobbied on the issue, and constituents who are fearful of being unable to get their prescriptions locally should services be withdrawn.