Ms Niamh Muldoon:

I thank Senator Mulherin for her question. Ultimately, this is a matter of policy, which is bigger than simply the Veterinary Council. The Veterinary Council has access to a huge amount of data in terms of the number of registrants on its rolls, including their profiles, their ages and where they are in practice, and these data will probably come under consideration in the strategy. It might be that over the coming years the council will carry out research to produce reports that will seek to inform and influence policies in this area but it is outside the sole control of the Veterinary Council. It is an area it is discussing. I can say no more than that on the matter.

Challenges to the profession were mentioned, including health, well-being and the stressful environment in which many members of the profession find themselves.

That is acknowledged by the council in its code of conduct and many other initiatives, including a booklet, Safe Vet, produced a number of years ago to give guidance and support and acknowledge the strains and pressures on registrants. It is a worthy initiative and available on the website. It is given to all new entrants. The council supports a number of initiatives to protect health and well-being and support its registrants in the public interest.

My apologies to Senator Lombard. He asked about the process involved in making decisions. There are committees that support the work of the Veterinary Council. The legislation and ethics committee referenced previously by one of the Senator's colleagues considered this matter over a long period. As the president outlined, ultimately it made a number of recommendations to the council which were considered by it in 2017 and following which it took decisions. That is the process involved. As with any regulator, there are a number of committees that support the work of the council.

The Senator questioned changes in personnel. I am not sure that is fair or relevant. It is the decision of the Veterinary Council as a body corporate. In terms of the changes in personnel or individuals beneath it, it is of no relevance.