John Dardis (Progressive Democrats)

Senator Coonan has made a good point. Of course, we would have to amend the amendment by excluding specifically the members of the veterinary profession who are farmers. One could not have a farmer who is a vet as a member of the council.

It is a reasonable proposition. It is standard practice on many agricultural boards, including Bord Bia, to have the Minister nominate from a list, for example, rather than have the farming organisation make the nomination. It is important that the Minister have the discretion to make the selection. However, it is important that the main client base be represented. There are many precedents for this on agricultural boards.

I have previously drawn the Minister's attention to the Animal and Plant Health Association, which is the type of body that would have important views on this subject because it is obvious that the number of drugs being used in agriculture is increasing all the time. It would be important to be able to draw on the association's expertise and commercial insight. This is not really related to the substance of the amendment but, given that the Minister is to increase the number of persons on the council from seven to nine, there may be some scope to accommodate both positions. It is important not to let the council expand to the point where it becomes overly cumbersome and cannot do its job. A balance is to be struck and perhaps the Minister has struck it pretty well by way of her proposed amendment in this regard.