Results 2,521-2,540 of 2,725 for speaker:Noel Coonan

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: I welcome what the Minister and Senator McCarthy have said. I am a little perplexed because I am amazed at the standards in Cork and Donegal. For more than 20 years, student vets have been attending in our area with the veterinary surgeon and taking part on a practical basis. I hope they would not have done anything illegal.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: If that is what the Minister means by the legislation that is certainly positive and worthwhile.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: On a point of clarification, when this legislation becomes law will it be illegal for a veterinary practitioner to advertise himself or herself as a veterinary surgeon?

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: I thank the Minister for providing clarification. Will she further clarify the situation in respect of non-registered persons? Senator McCarthy referred to this but, to be more specific, routine procedures are being carried out by farmers or their employees. I refer here to matters such as hoof paring or skulling and I will not upset the Minister by describing them.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: Will the Minister assure the House that the status quo will continue and that these services will not be affected?

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: I move amendment No. 9: In page 16, subsection (1), between lines 11 and 12, to insert the following new paragraph: "(f) one person who is nominated for such appointment by the Minister for Agriculture and Food as being representative of persons with a farming interest;" The Minister has dealt with this matter to some extent but I would like her to be even more specific. I accept her...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: The Minister would have to make a choice.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: Or party.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: I would like the Minister to be more specific in the legislation concerning this issue and I may reintroduce the amendment on Report Stage.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: I also welcome the Minister's decision to increase the numbers, a change sought by both sides of the House. She also proposes to achieve a balance in the numbers. When we originally sought the change, we were informed that it would have to be within the remit of a council of seven persons. We can accept that the number on the council has now risen to nine members, but the correct balance also...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: I support Senator McCarthy's amendment. He is calling for a definite arrangement whereas the Bill tends to put the matter on the long finger. The Minister is aware of what happens if something is left on the long finger. It is better to be definite and positive about something than indefinite and indecisive.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: Taken in the context of my amendment, I agree with my colleagues. We must be conscious of the impact of the veterinary signature on exports and animal welfare. It is accepted worldwide and any diminution thereof could have a knock-on effect. We need to be more specific about the type of individual who can be registered in certain cases. We must consider the impact this will have.

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: I also support Senator Henry's amendment. Most farmers would be conscious of the fact that they have a particular affiliation with and sensitivity to animals. The term "putting down of an animal" should be used with care because many people are affected by it. Only today the manner in which some animals are disposed of was highlighted in respect of what happens animals in the fox farming...

Seanad: Veterinary Practice Bill 2004: Committee Stage. (22 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: The vet has always been known as the veterinary surgeon and it makes common sense to continue in that vein.

Seanad: Food Safety: Statements. (3 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: Probably a honky-dory like the Senator.

Seanad: Food Safety: Statements. (3 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: It sounds like a potato.

Seanad: Food Safety: Statements. (3 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: The Senator is making us hungry.

Seanad: Food Safety: Statements. (3 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: Did the Senator sample it?

Seanad: Food Safety: Statements. (3 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: The Government is not able to provide classrooms, let alone food.

Seanad: Food Safety: Statements. (3 Mar 2005)

Noel Coonan: I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House because it is important that he put on record his response to the public's concern about this scare. The Sudan Red 1 scare has reminded the public that it cannot be fully confident that the food it eats possesses no health risk. Unfortunately, food scares are becoming increasingly the norm as larger retailers cut even more corners in order...