Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire.

Go ginearálta, táimid ag tacú leis an mBille seo. Tá ciall leis agus leis an chur chuige atá molta, ach sílim go bhfuil ciall leis an leasú atá molta ag an Seanadóir Barrett agus ba mhaith liom tacú leis. In general, as previously stated, I support the Bill. However, the amendment tabled by Senator Sean Barrett has some merit. I have mentioned previously the position in Connemara where difficulties are being experienced because of the scarcity of available vets to provide services. It has been found to be difficult to attract vets to live in rural areas to provide some of the basic services mentioned in the Bill. This echoes the sentiments expressed by the Minister on Second Stage. It is important to have clarity on an issue such as this in order that farmers will know precisely where they stand and what they can and cannot do. Moreover, future Ministers who may not have the same grasp of this issue as the current incumbent may not be as open to retaining some of the practices on the list. In general, Sinn Féin supports this practical and commonsense amendment which makes sense. It is good to note specifically these practices in order that farmers and the veterinary industry would know exactly where they stood.

In addition, while Sinn Féin takes on board the issues veterinarians might have about others cutting into their area of expertise and so on, it is accepted generally that the measures outlined are standard that farmers would be comfortable carrying out on a daily basis. Given that in rural areas it can often be difficult, for a number of reasons, to avail of the services of veterinarians, the amendment is eminently practicable and I call on the Minister to take it on board, if possible.