Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

We discussed this amendment on Committee Stage, in particular the addition of the word "free" to the definition of "printed and published". Under the legislation, the Veterinary Council of Ireland will be able to make documents available "at such reasonable price (if any)". The council will not have to charge for documents, so it can waive any charge. Provision is made for publication by means of the Internet, which will give people access to such documents as veterinary registers or annual accounts without any charge being attached. I have introduced flexibility so the council may determine whether it wishes to introduce a charge — it may choose not to do so — as well as providing information using modern technology. I do not want there to be an imposition that the documents must always be free. A particular document might cost quite a lot of money to provide. Flexibility is provided for the council to do whatever it needs to do, and it may waive charges.