Mr. Finbarr Murphy:

The council is undertaking a review. As Mr. Neary alluded to earlier, the offending clause was removed in September, which had been inserted the previous December. It is reviewing the question of lay ownership and control of veterinary practices. It has consulted widely with stakeholders, farmers, vets and the public. I understand it will come to a conclusion on the compatibility of lay involvement in the practice of veterinary medicine following this consultative process.