Ms Niamh Muldoon:

In terms of standards of accreditation, the Veterinary Council of Ireland accredits UCD on the basis that it is in Ireland. We rely on and use European standards of accreditation. There is a group called the European Association of Establishments for Veterinary Education, EAEVE, and there is a minimum standard or threshold of education that any programme delivering veterinary medicine education in Europe has to comply with. That minimum standard is there for all programmes across Europe that allow any graduate to join, for example, the Veterinary Council of Ireland register to practise veterinary medicine here in Ireland under the European directive on the mutual recognition of professional qualifications. UCD has the benefit of the additional status that Veterinary Council accreditation affords. Once a programme of veterinary medicine, whether that is in UCD or another institution, holds Veterinary Council accreditation, that enables a graduate of that programme to join, for example, the register of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to practise in the UK or Scotland, or to join a register in Australia or New Zealand. There is additional status that is afforded to a graduate of any programme of veterinary medicine, such as UCD, that is accredited by the Veterinary Council. I hope that answers the Deputy's question on European standards.