Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not disagree with what the Deputy said. I referenced the EU directive in the context of mutual recognition of qualifications. I am happy to check for the Deputy, but I understand that an accredited place through the Veterinary Council of Ireland is recognised in the North, the UK and the EU, as well as in some other jurisdictions. I can seek clarity on the latter for the Deputy.

The process of looking at what is possible is external to me, as should be the case. Nobody wants me to decide what is appropriate for veterinary medicine. We have the chief vet, the Veterinary Council of Ireland and the HEA. My approach is to let them do their thing. I met the CEO of the HEA recently and conveyed that to him. A report will come to me in March and the matter will then be back in my space. I am happy to engage with the Deputy and his party colleague and spokesperson, Deputy Conway-Walsh, on making sure we get it right. The exercise between now and March is to ascertain what is possible, what the institutions are telling us and what the expert panel believes is best from what it has heard around the country. I am taken by the importance of that regional piece as well.

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