Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I was aware of most of what was in his statement and the proposals to upgrade and modernise the system to ensure that efficiencies can be brought in all seem well and good but we want to make sure that does not mean a reduction in the funding the veterinary services receive. Those kinds of terms are often a cover for a reduction in funding and we would be concerned about that.

We are also conscious that we are facing Brexit and everyone knows that the amount of food that we import and export within the island, North and South, and across to Britain, will be impacted if we do not get the kind of Brexit deal that we want. It is looking increasingly as if that is going to run into more difficulty. This service would absolutely have to step into the breach if that were to happen and it is vital for us to have a sustainable future and pathway laid down to ensure that will happen.

The Minister mentioned issues around animal welfare and all of that. Vital services are provided by the local authority veterinary services on the ground. For many people when they have a problem in an area with stray animals or whatever, the veterinary service is the first port of call. They provide a vital service in that respect.

The Minister raised the issue of the sustainability of services and the fact that business would be impacted by their cessation. To allow the service to arrive at the level where it was only a couple of weeks away from being withdrawn was a mistake that has undermined a lot of trust among the service providers here. There needs to be a re-establishment of that over the next year while we have this interim arrangement in place. I invite the Minister to inform the Dáil that a long-term contract will be put in place to make this sustainable for the next five years because that is what needs to happen so that local authorities know they are on solid ground and will get the money they need to develop a service the way they need to and that it will be in place come what may, Brexit or otherwise.

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