Mr. Ian Fleming:

I would just like to say a couple of words at the start, if that is okay. I thank the Chair and the committee for having us here this evening. It is a great privilege for us to be here. We were formed, as a group, after a meeting which took place at the end of November 2021, when we recognised that there was a problem with regard to the supply of veterinary practitioners, particularly in remote, rural places, but across the country. This was something that was seen in the cities, towns and particularly in rural communities.

We had a meeting with various organisations within the farming community, Teagasc, the political field, and the veterinary field as well. We had about 40 people at the meeting and subsequently, a committee was formed. It was based in Cork at the time, and our view at that stage was with UCC because we had connections into UCC. Our imprimatur was to look to getting a new veterinary school into the country. There is, as the members well know, only one veterinary school in the country, in UCD. It was founded in Ballsbridge back in 1901. This is a chance, not just in a lifetime, but a chance in 120 years, to found a new veterinary school. I do not want to delay this in any way but we want this to be done on merit and we want it to be done as soon as possible.

We have four interested universities that have put up their hands for a new school. We would like to see that being put into operation quickly, to start perhaps in 2025 with the first intake of students. To do that, we would like the committee to recommend that this should take place and that the appointment of the new school should be based on that merit. I know that will be discussed here this evening. That concludes my opening statement. We will be delighted to take questions from the committee. The members have seen the statistics etc. that we have put together.