Ms Niamh Muldoon:

It would be inappropriate for me to give an opinion on that because as the regulators we have to regulate with whatever legislation is in place. We have to regulate with all the powers and regulatory tools that are provided to us. We are an effective regulator and we will continue in that, armed with the regulatory tools to allow us to do what we need to do in the public interest to make sure standards in the practice of veterinary medicine and nursing remain strong. I cannot comment on whether the regulation of ownership is advisable or not because whatever legislation is in place has to be enforced by the VCI. It would be inappropriate for the VCI to make a comment on policy because those matters are squarely reserved for these fine Houses.