Noel Coonan (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 22:

In page 41, line 41, after "an animal" to insert "and in the course of a Class A disease eradication programme".

When the Minister made her case regarding Class A disease, to a large extent, she put the cart before the horse. The qualification and signature of a veterinary surgeon or a veterinary practitioner, as it will become, are recognised worldwide. In an emergency, the Minister will enable other people to carry out these functions which will downgrade their position and is likely to lead to trouble in the future. I have stated that the number of diseases listed under Class A well and truly covers any potential concern the Minister or Department may raise. In this case, the Minister should examine Class A diseases and if a change is needed to cater for a disease or something that is likely to cause trouble, the Minister can make a suitable amendment. I am concerned that by permitting people to do the work of a veterinary surgeon in an emergency, the Minister will downgrade the profession in times to come. This would be a very serious and worrying development and I suggest the Minister should do it the other way around.