Mr. Finbarr Murphy:

If we look at the experience internationally with these corporates, there is a creeping effect. They test the market by coming into a country and buying one or two practices to see if the relevant authorities challenge them for being in breach of the law. These lay corporates are taking a significant financial risk in going ahead and purchasing these practices. As Mr. Neary said, we believe they are in breach of the existing Veterinary Practice Act 2005 and the animal remedies legislation. They are taking a significant risk financially by continuing. At the end of the day, it is up to the Department and the Veterinary Council of Ireland to enforce the laws. It is not clear what will happen to the practices that have already been purchased, but we believe they are acting outside the existing laws. They would be aware that they are taking a risk on the basis of what has happened in other countries. If nobody stops them, the problem will be so big that we will just proceed. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Veterinary Council of Ireland have the powers to point out the laws to them.