Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate the Senators' points of view but this argument is driven by a fear that people's professionalism is being undermined. That is not the situation. If one were to tie the phrase "requisite knowledge and skills" into section 66 the people concerned would have to be veterinary practitioners which would tie their hands. They must have appropriate linguistic skills, be of good character and repute, not have been convicted of an offence which would render them unfit for the practice of veterinary medicine, and not stand prohibited in either Ireland or another country from practising veterinary medicine, as well as other issues.

This would arise in the event of a short, sharp response to a pandemic or epidemic that may, but hopefully will not, reach our shores. Senator Quinn is correct that the Department is examining how best to deal adequately with other pandemics that may arise, such as avian flu.

Parliamentary questions have been submitted in the other House about what we are doing to ensure we can give an adequate response. If this were to be introduced as an EU-wide issue we would not have enough veterinary practitioners to deal with a problem that may arise. That is why we need flexibility.

I appreciate the Senators' points. I have told the veterinary practitioners that we are not trying to undermine them or the profession. I want to encourage people in the profession, especially to encourage them to move back into rural areas where a lack of veterinary practitioners with their one-to-one interaction with farmers would have a detrimental effect on disease and issues appertaining to animal welfare.

This is enabling legislation which will not be used willy-nilly simply because we are short of a few veterinary practitioners. Those to whom it applies will be under instruction if they are at training stage. This preparatory provision has worked before.