Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is mentioned in the opening statement under the heading of independent statutory regulator that the Veterinary Council of Ireland is the statutory body responsible for the regulation and management of the veterinary professions, they being veterinary practitioners and veterinary nurses. Section 54 of the Act relates to offences in the practise of veterinary medicine and the use of the title. The council regulates the practise of veterinary medicine. Whether a practice is owned by a corporate, an individual or a partnership, is it correct to state the council's job is to regulate the practise of verterinary medicine because that gets to the nub of the matter? The problem is, if a practice is owned by a corporate, how will the council be able to regulate appropriately? Is the council setting conditions? Does it issue a certificate to the corporate or the vet? If it issues it to a vet, he or she is employed by the corporate which the council will have to regulate. If it is not prepared to do so, it is abdicating its responsibilities.