Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

What happens if an authorised officer went out and saw a farmer but thought there was a disease on the farm? All farmers know that if they see something in an animal the first thing they will do is contact their vet. The idea that one would not put a call through to a veterinary officer, to state that there are significant symptoms and to ask what he or she should do, is farcical. I am willing to resubmit my amendment on Report Stage and to make it explicit that a consultation does not have to be on site because, as the Minister has said, with mobile telephones and gadgetry it is easy to conduct a preliminary consultation by electronic means and then follow it with a more detailed consultation. An authorised officer, according to the Act, can come from a wide range of people. It is outrageous to say that people without veterinary skills can make a decision about a disease. We live in the 21st century and if mobile telephone numbers have been made available then one can get a vet or veterinary practitioner on the line. I ask the Minister to examine my proposal and I do not seek an affirmative answer from him today. If he is willing to examine the matter then I will not press my amendment today. I shall table it again for the next day so that we can move on.