Mr. Rob Doyle:

On this particular issue, the Attorney General has made the interpretation. It is the interpretation of the Attorney General that, legally, the only people who can prescribe are vets. We have endeavoured to create a system that provides for additional competition. The Department is conscious of the cost to farmers, and there are measures under the rural development plan to support antiparasitic measures, that is, there is funding for faecal egg sampling in the sheep welfare scheme and in the beef scheme. There is a pilot scheme looking at antiparasitic challenges in sheep, which is supported under the rural development plan at no cost to the farmers involved. We are also looking at a broader scheme to support farmers in regard to antiparasitic issues on their farms. I could not accept that we have ignored the recommendations of the committee. In response to other Deputies, we pointed out where we have made specific changes as requested by members of the committee.