Results 14,881-14,900 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

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

Mary Coughlan: I apologise to the Senator. We are talking about emergency situations. A non-registered and non-qualified person can treat an animal in an emergency. I am removing the phrase "administering an anaesthetic to an animal" from section 60(2). In an emergency, an anaesthetic may not be administered. Only a veterinary practitioner can administer an anaesthetic and that is how it will be. The...

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

Mary Coughlan: Under the Animal Remedies Act 1993, only veterinary practitioners have access to anaesthetics. We are tightening up on that so that no one but a veterinary practitioner, because of the issues involved, will be able to administer an anaesthetic. Having access to something which, under other legislation, is not permitted would have significant consequences outside the parameters of an emergency...

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

Mary Coughlan: It deals with the issue of concern to the vets, namely, that we were allowing the use of anaesthetics during emergencies. We have removed that provision completely. Only a vet can administer an anaesthetic and no one can have access to an anaesthetic except the veterinary practitioner.

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

Mary Coughlan: This is a textual amendment which relates to a term used in the context of the definition of "management" for the purposes of the Bill. I wish to replace the term "computers" with the more appropriate terminology of "information technology".

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

Mary Coughlan: I do not have a difficulty with the principle underlying the amendments to provide for the possibility of an increased number of members who could be appointed to the Veterinary Council of Ireland education committee. However, the advice of the Attorney General is that an upper limit needs to be specified. Accordingly, having consulted further with the council, I propose to provide that the...

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

Mary Coughlan: I will do my best for the Senators. Section 64(4) provides for the committee to take advice from experts when reaching a decision. I am sorry Senator McCarthy feels as he does about this issue. I have taken on board the Senators' proposal on three members. I was advised that it was not possible on the maximum number. This permutation was, therefore, introduced to address the issues raised on...

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

Mary Coughlan: I draw Senators' attention to an error in section 63(3). The cross-reference should be to section 18(5) and not subsection (5) that appears in the published version of the Bill. This amendment will correct this error.

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

Mary Coughlan: This section is concerned with the making of regulations by the council as regards programmes of further education to be undertaken by veterinary practitioners and nurses. As such the provision represents an important new dimension to regulation of the profession by bringing in the concept of continuing professional development. Section 67(6) is designed to ensure that the affected providers...

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

Mary Coughlan: Concern was raised on Second Stage about procedural assessments or aspects of the fitness to practise provision. This relates to, whether at the preliminary investigative phase, the relevant committee should be required to seek observations from the person complained against before reaching a decision on whether a substantive inquiry is to proceed. The Bill provides this as optional. Having...

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

Mary Coughlan: These disciplinary procedures were drafted in close consultation with the Attorney General's office to ensure they are in line with legislative and case law norms. Section 78(4)(c) is concerned with outlining, although not exhaustively, what evidence the fitness to practise committee of the council may choose to call when considering a complaint. It is appropriate that the fitness to practise...

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

Mary Coughlan: I do not agree that this provision is severely restrictive. There is nothing to say that a chairperson of the donkey sanctuary who is not a veterinary practitioner would be discommoded in this matter. We are not against veterinary practitioners being on the veterinary council. However, this provision adds to the wealth of the council by stipulating that one member should come from a different...

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

Mary Coughlan: Under section 16(1), the Minister has considerable scope in making appointments to the council. For example, under subsection (a), the appointee who is registered or is eligible to be registered under Part 4 may be a veterinary practitioner. Subsection (b) provides that there must be two appointees who are not eligible to be registered but at least one of whom avails of veterinary services in...

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

Mary Coughlan: I appreciate Senator Henry's point but I am doing my best in this regard. The Senator argues that I am being over-prescriptive in setting out what the Minister can do. Members have argued for a more prescriptive approach on previous occasions so it may be a case of swings and roundabouts. The provision in subsection (c) is wide in that all veterinary practitioners are involved in the welfare...

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

Mary Coughlan: I will not speculate in this regard. Subsection (d) is perfectly pragmatic. The Minister for Education and Science provided €26 million for veterinary facilities in University College Dublin and is entitled to nominate an appointee to the council. One never knows when we may need that additional funding. Due recognition should be given to her and her Department, as a nominating body. Did...

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

Mary Coughlan: There is a pragmatic political answer to the Senators' question.

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

Mary Coughlan: That is the position. An opportunity may present itself at a later date in which another veterinary college may be available to us. We would be overly prescriptive if——

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

Mary Coughlan: We might get an institute of technology. That would move things on. The aforementioned position reflects what is happening and it will be mirrored in the legislation. However, we must leave open the opportunity to appoint someone else if there is a change of circumstances in the country. Members will appreciate that it is a long time since this legislation was changed and we must allow for...

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

Mary Coughlan: My interpretation is that farmers will be represented by way of a nomination by the Minister. I would prefer if my hands were not tied legislatively. If they were, I would have to stipulate "the farming organisations" rather than "a farmer", in which case I would have to increase the council's membership to facilitate the IFA, ICMSA, ICSA——

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

Mary Coughlan: ——and the whole gamut. The first person who will not be making the choice will be me. If we were prescriptive and specified the farming organisations, we would have to provide an additional four, if not five, places on the council. That is how partnership works and that is why I would prefer it if the provision were not made on a legislative basis. It is my intention to appoint a farmer....

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

Mary Coughlan: Or whatever. If the Senator feels so passionately about the matter, he can send me some recommendations.