Ms Niamh Muldoon:

I will speak in general terms. UCD may be a victim of its own success. It is internationally renowned and holds American veterinary medicine accreditation status, which is part of the appeal in North American and Canadian students coming here. Usually, graduates from UCD might opt to take internships in, for example, equine practice in America. Dr. Duggan is better placed to speak about that, having done it herself. We often see Irish graduates coming through UCD who might choose to practice abroad for a couple years, no more or less than those in medicine, dentistry and other professions. Usually, we will see them returning to our register. Just because, on qualification, somebody qualifying from UCD does not join the Veterinary Council of Ireland register immediately does not mean that they do not come onto our register. There is a trend across many professions to travel abroad, get some experience in a particular area of interest for two, three or four years and then come home.