Results 741-760 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Minister for her reply. Perhaps we will revisit the matter on Report Stage for the purposes of clarity. I accept that is the Attorney General's advice but perhaps the Minister will accept the amendment on Report Stage.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 90: In page 57, subsection 6(a), line 16, after "oath" to insert "or affirmation". I tabled this amendment in previous legislation. I was very intent on tabling the amendment in order to insert the words "or affirmation". As I explained previously, there are a whole host of reasons for tabling the amendment. For example, the oath might not have the same standing for...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: It depends on how far-stretched my resources will be. Senator Henry raised an important point in regard to the lack of value people may place on taking an oath and the manner in which people can be disrespectful towards taking an oath. The majority of good thinking people are not like that, but there are people who will say anything to get them out of a situation. This has been borne out in...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Minister and will pass on the available advice.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 98: In page 63, subsection (1), line 31, after "appropriate" to insert "if the Council is of the opinion that the offence is such as to render the person unfit to practise veterinary medicine or veterinary nursing, as the case may be". As it stands, section 84 is flawed because there is no test, criteria or requirement by which the council can judge a person should be...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: The wording addresses the situation from the viewpoint of the offence, in that the offence itself would render whether the person was fit to practise. The wording addresses the offence and not personal issues. There is currently nothing to allow the council to make such a judgment. We are referencing section 48(2)(d), which uses general wording to make it clear that merely being convicted of...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I will not ask the Minister to repeat any of her reply. On the issue of veterinary nursing there is a general school of thought that the profession has been recognised in that people, out of a love for animals, study to become veterinary nurses. A diploma course is available in Ballsbridge.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: Up to then there was a diploma course in only one of the institutes of technology, perhaps Athlone. In general, this profession which is associated with veterinary practice is being recognised. There are courses that offer the facility to those who wish to become veterinary nurses and there is a good chance of obtaining a third-level qualification in that area. The veterinary nurse is an...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I presume it is anyone in the veterinary profession.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Minister profusely.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I am glad the Minister has come this far on these amendments. The definition of veterinary premises was so wide that the Minister could have been guilty of overregulation, not that we would accuse her of any such misdemeanour. I am glad the Minister has recognised that many places exist where veterinary practices could be situated.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 120: In page 77, subsection (1), line 38, after "person" to insert "or two or more registered persons applying jointly". This amendment refers to the certificate of suitability. It was raised during negotiations with Veterinary Ireland. Veterinary Ireland proposes that the Bill should be amended in order to allow more than one vet to apply jointly for a certificate of...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 121: In page 84, line 25, after "suitability" to insert "or a copy thereof". This section refers to the obligation to display a certificate of suitability. The current wording of section 123 reads: "A certificate of suitability shall be displayed in a prominent place at the veterinary premises to which it relates." As the section stands, the original certificate must be...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I said at the beginning of my contribution that it was about the certificate of suitability. I understand that and I welcome the Minister's clarity, but this goes back to the point made by Senator Quinn. Original documents are always very important and it is important to retain them, not least when one is dealing with bodies operated by human beings subject to human error. For example, a...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I do not wish to be pedantic in regard to this issue but it is more than desirable that the certificate be displayed. That is a requirement of the Bill. I will not lose too much sleep over this but I ask the Minister to continue the pragmatism she has displayed throughout the course of this debate. I wish to reiterate a point made by Senator Quinn. The original document could always be...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: On the basis of what the Minister has said and for the sake of a peaceful night's sleep, I will not press the amendment.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: It seems great minds think alike and I support Senator Henry's amendment. This amendment was requested by the Veterinary Council during protracted discussions I had with its members on this legislation. It enables the council to search properties other than those operated by registered vets. I ask the Minister to take on board the points made by Senator Henry and accept this amendment.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 127: In page 86, between lines 31 and 32, to insert the following new subsection: "(2) Where an authorised officer takes possession of or removes from the premises for examination and analysis, any animal pursuant to subsection (1)(h) which is not the property of the registered person concerned, then: (a) the authorised officer shall take reasonable steps to notify the...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I refer, in particular, to smaller animals that are kept over night or for a couple of nights for minor procedures.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (23 Mar 2005)

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Minister.