Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 12, line 45, to delete "this section—" and substitute "this section and section 126A—".

This is not contentious legislation and this is reflected in the small number of amendments on Committee Stage. On Report Stage there is only one amendment, tabled on the basis of legal advice. It concerns the powers of entry allowing authorised officers to make inspections of veterinary practices. On Committee Stage, I stated an issue arose over authorised officers entering premises without a warrant. There were two exemptions concerning the premises they could enter without a warrant. One concerned people's homes and the other concerned public buildings, in other words, premises linked to my Department which have a veterinary or veterinary practice connection. On legal advice, we also want to exclude public buildings in respect of entry by authorised officers from the Veterinary Council of Ireland with a warrant. We are clarifying the matter on the basis of legal advice. The amendment is not overly contentious and I appeal to the Opposition to support us in that regard.

There will be an opportunity to discuss all these issues again in the Seanad when the Bill is considered there. If further clarification is necessary at that stage, I will be in a position to answer questions.

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