Ms Niamh Muldoon:

We do carry out inspections. We are not in every county in the country, but every veterinary practice premises in the country is inspected before a certificate of suitability is issued. Before a practice can open, it is inspected by one of our assessors. During the lifetime of that licence, the certificate of suitability being a four-year lifespan, there will be a further inspection. If and when matters of concern are notified to us, we will initiate an authorised officer investigation. We can legally enter any premises. There are wide-ranging powers available to our authorised officers, which include the power to enter and inspect in pursuit of any particular investigation.