Ms Niamh Muldoon:

I thank Deputy McConalogue. He has given us many points to return to. There has been a lot of debate about corporate ownership. It has been challenging for the profession and for the council. The council did not take this decision lightly. In the consultation, just shy of 60% of those surveyed were against corporate ownership, with 40% in favour. It is entirely contextual. One sees vets being more open to corporate ownership at certain stages in their careers. For example, veterinary nurses tend to be in favour. It varies depending on the context. This committee will take its own legal advice as to what is sustainable. The council acknowledges that it is a changing environment. There will be challenges and the nuances of these decisions will be played out throughout the country over the coming years. The council will keep an eye on all of this. It is not going to undermine its own function by allowing something to come in that it cannot regulate. The council is confident that it can regulate the practice of veterinary medicine. It will be revisiting, reforming and revising certain aspects of the procedures over the coming months. All of this will be kept under review. The council will not be found wanting in playing its role in all of this. The council is not requesting legislative change or amendment at this time. It is, of course, open to this great House to introduce whatever laws it deems appropriate, but the council has not arrived at the conclusion that any such legislative amendment is required.

With regard to pricing, this is just outside the role of a regulator. It is just not within our gift. Life might be a lot easier if it were. The Medical Council cannot set the fees for doctors and the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland cannot set the fees and charges that pharmacists levy. It is the same for the Dental Council. We are a regulator. We have a public interest focus on the regulation of the practice but we cannot control every facet. We acknowledge that there will be many challenges in the years to come, but the council will not be found wanting and will rise to meet those challenges to ensure effective regulation in the public interest.