Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will not need that. It is great to have the witnesses here today. It is a really important step forward to make sure that we get significant movement on this issue of trying to get another veterinary school in the State. As Mr. Fleming said, it has been over 100 years since we set up the previous one.

The witnesses should outline the current required need and give their views on the age profile of the veterinary profession here. I also ask them to elaborate on the large animal scenario. The majority of vets are very much involved in small animal practice. That area seems to be soaking up a great many of veterinary practitioners. What are the witnesses' fears regarding large animal practices, in particular, and what is required to make sure we have a sustainable food industry going forward? If we are to have a sustainable food industry, the veterinary profession is really important in that remit from a regulation point of view. Where does the veterinary profession need to go regarding that identity of being the key actor to make sure that our food industry is sustainable going forward?

I know the witnesses are based in Cork and move in a more southern sphere, so to speak. What is the need for a veterinary college outside of the Dublin area? We have had a veterinary college in Dublin and it has worked quite successfully, to some degree. Perhaps a new college needs to take into consideration what rural Ireland has to offer. Munster has a strong dairy farming sector, a large equine trade and large poultry and pork producers. What are the indications and statistics regarding the actual portfolio outside of Munster and what could be joined up regarding helping the proposed new veterinary college, whether it is Teagasc assets, or private assets and how can they all be tied together?

The witnesses also should elaborate on the international element. At the moment, we have a cohort of more than 600 students who have travelled abroad to study veterinary medicine. We could, in many ways, see the potential of having them educated in Ireland and having the research they do coming home to be a part of our key driver, with our food industry. How could that asset be realised and what could it do for us as an entity and even internationally? It is quite possible that we could become an international hub for education for vets. Where else would be the more appropriate place to learn the profession but in Ireland instead of us being an exporter of students? Could Ireland be an importer of students? I realise UCD do that at the moment, particularly with students from North America. Is there an possibility that this prospective college, or colleges, depending on what is decided, could be a part of an entity that could be involved in a global international movement to train vets for the world market?