Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister to the House and wish her well with the Bill. At this stage it is still not too late to have consultation with various groups as it appears some groups have not been consulted. The farming organisations have a major role to play as they are the main users of veterinary practices. Also the Irish Veterinary Union is disappointed there has been no consultation with it.

On the issue of the make-up of the board, why is it that members of local authorities have been excluded? It is ridiculous that a veterinary member of a local authority would be precluded from being a member of the board. As Senator Dardis and others have pointed out this would be a person with vast experience whom one would wish to have on a board. There could be the farcical situation whereby a veterinary person working for a local authority could be a member of the board while a veterinary person who is a member of a local authority would be precluded from being a member of the board.

In regard to setting of fees for the registration of members, is it up to the board to set the registration fee, and, if so, will the same fee be charged across the board whether one is the owner of a large practice or an employee?

TB testing and blood testing is contracted out to veterinary surgeons who have a temporary contract with the Department. Will they pay the same fee as the owner of a large practice or an employee, or, will there be different rates for different categories of veterinary surgeons?

The Bill should specifically state that members of the farming organisations should have representation on the board. While they may not be precluded under the provisions of the Bill as drafted they may not be represented. The large farming organisations should be specifically named in the Bill, whether the Irish Farmers Association or the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association or whoever, and should have specific representation on the board as they have a huge role to play in farming practices, beef, milk and lamb production and so on. It is only right that the farming organisations — and the veterinary profession — should be one of the first groups to be represented on the board as they represent thousands of farm families and have a direct interest. I support my colleague Senator Coonan who said the farming organisations should be represented on the board.