Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I am delighted to see the conversion of the Members of the House when it comes to vets. We have had a long discussion about the matter and I have met numerous representative bodies. My original proposal for the composition of the council was to broaden the membership of the Veterinary Council to reflect interests such as education, consumers, animal welfare and food safety as well as providing a balance between the veterinary practitioners and others. I considered the views expressed by Members on Second Stage and as a consequence I have increased by two the elected membership of veterinary practitioners to assist the council in performing its functions and to be available to participate in the committees as established by the council. This will result in increasing council membership from 17 to 19. This addressed the views and concerns expressed by Members of the House heretofore that the council had an inadequate number of vets. This can be justified by the increased workload of the council as well as the continued professional development and accreditation of veterinary nurses.

I do not propose to alter in other respects the balance provided for in my original proposals. I believe it is appropriate that the membership should include a nominee of the Minister for Education and Science. Of the four people to be appointed by me, it is provided that one will be a veterinary practitioner and I see no need to increase this. I understand the proposal to, in effect, reserve a place for the dean of the veterinary faculty of UCD reflects the present actuality. We should not prescribe by legislation whom a body like UCD should choose in future as circumstances may change and it may not always be UCD that provides such education. Section 16(2)(a) recognises it would be inappropriate in such circumstances that the legislation would give automatic membership to the head of any one veterinary faculty over another. I have the option to specify one or more than one relevant body.

Members also asked about an additional place for a farming representative. Of the four people I will appoint to the restructured council at least one must represent the interests of those who avail of a veterinary service in the course of business, trade or profession and in such appointments I will consider farming interests. I have gone a long way towards addressing the concerns raised on Second Stage by having a critical mass of veterinary practitioners on the council and by having a balance between other stakeholders. I hope those elected and appointed will be the best people for the job, which is what we all want of the membership of any council, whether appointed or elected.

By excluding a vet from representing those who perform functions relating to animal welfare I can give an opportunity to others to participate on the council. Given the number of vets to be elected and appointed I believe the critical mass has been achieved. I would prefer to afford greater opportunity to those on the animal welfare side. Those elected may come from that area anyway as many people deal in that type of practice. It is a group for which I have much time. We have increased the funding to the animal welfare side in both mainstream farming and as it affects pets. I would prefer to see someone coming from that perspective as opposed to being a veterinary practitioner. I have done my utmost to ensure they are adequately represented on the council.

On Second Stage concern was expressed about continuity and the number of people elected. I will take into consideration the thrust of the views expressed by Members of the House, which represents a practical way of dealing with the issues. I appreciate where people are coming from. I feel I have been as fair as possible. I have met the organisations a number of times and they now seem to be relatively happy with the number of members on the council. I believe others are just as competent as a veterinary practitioner to reflect the animal welfare side. The vets elected or appointed may well also come from that perspective. I would like to give people a fairly wide opportunity to participate and define where the council goes.