Results 4,561-4,580 of 5,294 for speaker:Michael McCarthy

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

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Minister for providing clarification. A fair point was made by members of the profession that a situation could arise whereby unqualified persons could involve themselves in carrying out procedures or certain prescribed acts that would subtract from what an established professional practice has to offer. For example, a person trained by, but not possessing the same educational...

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

Michael McCarthy: I agree the Minister has gone some way in dealing with this matter but we need to be mindful of the bigger picture. If the Minister were not so resolute in her determination to proceed with her amendment rather than those tabled by myself and Senator Henry, our amendments could be examined more closely on Report Stage.

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

Michael McCarthy: The Minister is being too generous to me as the error was spotted by my parliamentary assistants. I thank the Minister for accepting the amendment.

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

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 89: In page 57, subsection (4)(c), line 9, to delete ", or the testimony of the applicant". The section appears to suggest the fitness to practise committee can require the applicant to give evidence against himself or herself. The Labour Party considers this inappropriate and has tabled an amendment to correct it.

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

Michael McCarthy: It is strange for a university Senator to propose such an amendment but I agree that the issue of academic representation is adequately covered in subsection (e). Subsection (d) provides for the appointment of "one person who is nominated for appointment as a member of the council by the Minister for Education and Science and is engaged in the provision of higher education". Section (e) goes...

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

Michael McCarthy: That was in reference to a separate amendment. My amendment indicates that 16(1)(e) deals with the matter appropriately.

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

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 8: In page 16, subsection (1)(e), lines 9 to 11, to delete subparagraphs (i) and (ii) and substitute: "(i) one is the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at University College Dublin". This amendment, if accepted, will ensure that the dean of the faculty of veterinary medicine at University College Dublin will continue to be a member of the council. I expect a...

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

Michael McCarthy: The Minister stated on Second Stage that she would be willing to accept compromises in many areas and this reflects that in one of the more practical ones. The issue is not so much about figures as it is about having a broad base of knowledge. These people are practitioners involved at the coalface who will bring a greater variety of expertise to the council which is a move in the right direction.

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

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 19: In page 18, subsection (2), line 27, after "day" to insert ", but half of the members of the Council who are the first members of the Council shall have a term of office of two years" This amendment was tabled because the Veterinary Council recommended that while all members should serve four years, there should be a two year roll-over so that the entire membership of...

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

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 23: "In page 20, subsection (9)(a), line 28, to delete "may" and substitute "shall"." This amendment has been tabled to many Bills in this House. The legislation requires a member of the council to carry out the functions of a registrar. It does not seem appropriate to give the council discretion not to appoint an acting registrar in the absence of the registrar. Where...

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

Michael McCarthy: There might be a situation where someone might not consider it necessary to appoint an acting registrar. The registrar might be absent for a variety of reasons. What is proposed in the amendment would be a safer approach in terms of dealing with the absence of a registrar. It goes back to the use of the words "shall" and "may". There should be a more binding responsibility or onus on the...

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

Michael McCarthy: We will or we might?

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

Michael McCarthy: Considering the Minister's reply in respect of our position, I think I will move the amendment on Report Stage. I ask the Minister to seriously reflect on the amendment. I accept the Minister's point that we could discuss this issue indefinitely but it is a very important point. Since the Minister has gone so far with regard to so many sections of this Act, it would be remiss of her not to...

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

Michael McCarthy: There was a certain echo when the Acting Chairman said that the Minister, Senator Henry and the Labour Party have agreed on this section. I recognise the Minister's practicality with regard to this issue. To be fair to the Veterinary Council of Ireland, it has pointed out that deputy members are already provided for and the pensions scheme is approved by the Pensions Board. I thank the...

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

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 24: In page 23, between lines 3 and 4, to insert the following new subsection: "(4) Part I of the Third Schedule to the Freedom of Information Act 1997 is amended by the insertion of reference to this section.". This amendment is self-explanatory. We wish to see the Freedom of Information Act apply to the council and accordingly it is appropriate to make reference to this...

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

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 27: In page 24, lines 26 to 35, to delete subsection (1). For the purpose of clarity, are amendments Nos. 27 to 32, inclusive, grouped? Two of these amendments are in my name and three are in that of the Minister.

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

Michael McCarthy: I wish to hear the Minister's reply before moving my amendments.

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

Michael McCarthy: I welcome the part that agrees in principle with the amendments. It is good that the ban on members of local authorities has been removed. Whatever about everyone else, we are dealing with one type of body, the members of which were elected. Communities have faith in these people's ability to deliver at local government level. This should not necessarily suggest that their membership of local...

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

Michael McCarthy: I move amendment No. 43: In page 36, subsection (2)(a), line 3, after "a", to insert "Class A". This amendment is a result of the negotiations we have held with Veterinary Ireland. There is a point to be made about the temporary influx of foreign vets under the limited registration provisions. Examining this issue in the context of the manner in which limited registration applies to foreign...

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

Michael McCarthy: I thank the Minister but there are other reasons this amendment might be accepted. If there is a requirement to import expertise, this has a host of industrial relations implications. How many practitioners will be available? What will be the rate of remuneration? Consider the manner in which the retail market is being exploited by foreign companies. Accepting the Minister's response, I ask...