Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

I come back to the issue of HETAC and the significant concerns among veterinary nurses. I do not know the ins and outs of their qualifications or their training. However, staff at the Athlone Institute of Technology are adamant that the core structure that has been approved under HETAC is to a considerably higher standard than what is taking place in the National University of Ireland. I do not know whether that is the case. It would take someone more expert than I am to decide whether that is the position. Perhaps Deputy Upton is in a better position to adjudicate on that. However, be that as it may they feel their qualification could be watered down. The rules governing that and the registration could be watered down because the function of the veterinary council is to set the rules as regards the practice of veterinary nursing. That is one of the council's first functions and roles. HETAC has put the structures in place and indicated specifically what hurdles have to be crossed by students attending Athlone Institute of Technology to get their qualification. All of a sudden the sands are shifting under that structure.

Those particular students signed up for that course on the basis of meeting specific targets when they would emerge with a specified qualification. There is genuine concern in this regard. There is also concern at Athlone institute level that if the NUI is the only representative as regards the education element of the veterinary council, and that the university in conjunction with the council will set the rules for the future as regards the registration, functions and roles of veterinary nurses, then it will not have a role in that.

Finally, on the Minister of State's comment that the Minister, Deputy Coughlan, is likely to include HETAC under section 16(2), will he be somewhat more specific and indicate whether she will do it?

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