Mr. Peadar Ó Scanaill:

In fairness, we have never had as many registrants on our register as we currently have. As a registrar has pointed out, it is nothing to do with ownership. For ten years or more, it has been quite difficult to get vets to work in large animal practices, which is the tougher end of the game with longer hours and tougher work.

Often, the remuneration does not match expectations. The money is simply not in it. We need only look at what the beef industry is saying about the cost of beef being below the cost of production. If the person who is involved in that has to pay for a veterinary service, members can see how the pressure is always be on to keep those costs down. It is very hard to get vets to work in rural parts, even on the east coast, the north-east coast and in the centre of the country.