Ms Niamh Muldoon:

I am the first to acknowledge that this has been a really challenging matter for the Veterinary Council of Ireland, the profession and for all of our stakeholders. It is a changing environment so change, updates and reform will be required by the council in different areas. All of that is in train and is being developed. We are absolutely confident that we can effectively regulate the practice of veterinary medicine. We would not be appearing before this committee today if that was not the case; we would be beating down the door seeking legislative change and amendments. We would not be discharging our statutory duties under the Act if we were not effectively regulating the sector. We confidently believe we can do that but if that position changes and if, over the passage of time, we discover that there are gaps or difficulties with which we cannot deal effectively, we will not be found wanting in terms of coming forward. The standards will remain high and we are absolutely confident of that.