Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 6:

In page 37, line 12, after "disease" to insert the following: "which poses a significant threat to animal or human health".

This brings us back to the issue of the definition of the term "a significant threat to animal or human health". There is considerable concern that the current wording could give the Minister a blank cheque in terms of the diseases she would designate. Vets are also concerned that the Minister could include in the designation routine procedures carried out as part of an animal health programme.

According to the Minister, the sole purpose of the provision is to deal with significant diseases, for example, class A diseases, but the powers given to the Minister far exceed this specific element. In the Seanad and in committee, she consistently stated that the sole purpose of the provision in both the relevant sections is specifically to deal with serious emergencies arising from class A type diseases or a shortage of veterinarians which requires us to bring in vets from abroad. She consistently cited the example of foot and mouth disease as the reason for introducing the provision. No one, inside or outside the Chamber, would have a difficulty with the provision, provided that this is its sole purpose. The difficulty, however, is that as the legislation stands, any disease can come under this category. The purpose of the amendment is to provide clarity in this regard.

The Minister argued on Committee Stage that she did not want to be restricted if an urgent and significant threat to animal or human health emerged and, therefore, the class A definition might not be appropriate. I accept her argument, which is the reason I tabled these amendments specifically to deal with the types of diseases that would pose a significant threat to animal or human health. They provide a sufficiently broad definition to facilitate the Minister in terms of any potential necessity to apply the provisions, as set out, while also protecting the integrity of the veterinary medicine profession. Given the considerable concern regarding the broad definition in the section, I ask the Minister of State to reconsider and accept the amendment.

See this speech in context