Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I know this issue was discussed by the Senators and Veterinary Ireland. It is correct to state that it refers to the 1931 Act. On a day-to-day basis, the term used is "vets" as opposed to "veterinary surgeons". The common use of the word will never change. However, those in the profession now do more than surgery on a day-to-day basis. It is felt that the term "veterinary practitioner" would connect with the definition of veterinary practice, defined for the first time in section 54. This creates a flow between veterinary practitioner, veterinary practice and moving beyond the idea of being just a veterinary surgeon. On reflection, while there are common terms in use, the issue of veterinary practitioner goes beyond what was involved in the old terminology of veterinary surgeon.