Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

I agree with the Senator's final point on professional standards. This Bill is all about standards. We have drawn a distinction in terms of who pays for personal indemnity insurance, between a veterinary surgeon who is working for the State and we are paying him or her to do that, versus a veterinary surgeon in practice, where a client is paying him or her for services. We are seeking to ensure the client is protected in cases of incompetence, malpractice or laziness. My experience of the veterinary surgeons who work in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has been very good. Let me assure Members that if there is evidence of malpractice by a veterinary surgeon working for the State on official duties, we will take action and will be strongly supported by the Veterinary Council in doing that. On the specific issue of legal indemnity, having asked the same questions as the Senators have asked, I think we have taken the correct approach. I therefore cannot accept the amendment. I appreciate that the Senator has offered to withdraw it.