Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I do not have a difficulty with the principle underlying the amendments to provide for the possibility of an increased number of members who could be appointed to the Veterinary Council of Ireland education committee. However, the advice of the Attorney General is that an upper limit needs to be specified. Accordingly, having consulted further with the council, I propose to provide that the eight persons stipulated with the education committee may be supplemented by up to three additional members drawn from the council. In these circumstances, it is not necessary to provide, as proposed, for an increase by one in the minimum numbers of elected members of council who must be appointed to the education committee. It will be a matter for the council to decide which members will fill the additional three places.