Ms Niamh Muldoon:

He or she may be, but in applying for this licence the clinical discretion rests with the registrant. The registrants are members of a profession. No member of any profession will sell his or her signature for cheap use by another. Society expects higher standards of all professions. Practitioners of veterinary nursing are no different. I do not foresee the circumstances Senator Paul Daly outlines as being problematic. That said, if individual nuances within the area of veterinary practice prove to be problematic, the VCI will not be found wanting in playing its role. Our job is to make sure that there is effective regulation.

Our concern is for society and the public interest. It is not the case that we are going to turn a blind eye to substandard or poor practice. It simply will not be allowed.