Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The veterinary council was in here twice before and that spawned this amendment. I will go with the decision of the committee but the transcript of those meetings is there. It is clear they had their interpretation of the legislation as it stands. That interpretation changed from what they did heretofore. They have been here and, because of what was said at that meeting, this amendment has been brought forward. If we want further discussion when we are in private session, I have no problem. However, like Senator Paul Daly, I believe time is of the essence with this. Every week we wait, another practice will be bought by a corporate. Against that, I have no issue with Deputy Carthy's bona fides on this. We want to make sure people cannot accuse us of not listening to all sides of the argument. I accept that. It was because of the firm stance the veterinary council took with the committee that this amendment is before us.