Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not believe so. It offers an out for the individual that is not in place currently. Farms will not be visited by authorised officers who are inexperienced in dealing with farm situations. We will put service agreements in place with authorised officers. The issue of service agreements is outlined at the top of page 62.

If we are to have non-veterinary staff as authorised officers, and unless they are trained and have experience in the area - many of the current inspectors are not vets-----