Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)

Given that the report was received as recently as 19 June, the Department needs time to study it in greater detail. Nevertheless, nothing has been ruled out. The lack of availability of veterinary practitioners, a point raised by Deputy Penrose, is one of the reasons the Competition Authority has called for advertising rules to be released so as to ensure greater innovation and competition. Serious consideration should also be given to introducing lay testing for tuberculosis but I do not propose to rush to judgment on this recommendation. We are aware that a degree of lay testing takes place in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. We have an opportunity to act on recommendations but it is much too early to give definitive commitments. Nothing has been ruled out at this point.

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