The Irish Pharmacy Union (IPU), the representative body for 1,800 pharmacists, has expressed its disappointment at today's High Court ruling. The IPU will review the ruling and its implications with its legal advisors in due course.

In the course of his judgment, Judge McMahon said that the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2009 was "exceptional'. He said "Clearly it is capable of affecting persons adversely and that was one of the objectives of the legislation."

In this context, the Union will be taking the opportunity of the forthcoming review of payments by the Minister to demonstrate the impact of the cuts on members. It will seek to have this matter and related issues addressed in that process.