Patrick O'Donovan (Limerick County, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his warm wishes. The decision relating to this matter will be based on a number of key indicators I have already outlined with regard to the provision of additional spaces. I know that the Deputy has a particular interest in one location is his area. He is to be commended for raising this in the Dail. The decision will be made in a collaboration between ourselves, the HEA, the Department with responsibility for agriculture and others to make sure the criteria set out about regional balance, value for money, the speed at which it can be delivered and how quickly we can get to meet the requirements that have been laid out not just by vets themselves but by farmers.

Deputy Canney represents a farming community, as do I. Many farmers will tell you that there is a need to provide a little help in terms of getting additional numbers into the area. That is a good thing. It proves that much of what we hear in this place about farming being a dying industry is not the correct - far from it.

It is farmers engaging with vets who are, in many cases, showing that there is a requirement for this to be expanded. It is something our Department will take very seriously. I take on board the affirmation the Deputy made for the County Galway site.

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