Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am asking the Minister, in the interests of animal rights and farmers' rights, to take legal advice on the matter and to consider introducing an amendment at a later stage providing that an authorised officer will at least have to seek veterinary advice. There will be instances in which it is not possible to get advice but, as the Minister pointed out, these are rare. In the great majority of cases, one will be able to get the veterinary advice sought. I am anxious not to be part of a committee that allows a law to go through under which authorised officers with few qualifications may come onto my farm or that of my neighbour - or, indeed, that of any of the many farmers who sit on this committee - and order the destruction of an animal without the owner's consent in a case in which it is unnecessary. The Minister would want to preclude that possibility. It is a small requirement that somebody seek veterinary advice. If one seeks advice and it is not possible to get it, then a decision must be made on the spot. Perhaps the Minister would take legal advice on that.