Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)

The overall objective of this proposed amendment is to clarify and update the particular aspects of veterinary practice which veterinary nurses are permitted to carry out. The amendment is being proposed at this stage of the legislative process because it arises from a submission received at the end of 2011 from Veterinary Ireland, the representative body for the veterinary profession. I mentioned when introducing the Bill on 21 February that the 2005 Act provided a springboard for development of the veterinary nursing profession, with almost 500 nurses registered to practise. In the field of education and training we have moved on from the time when nurses had to go abroad to be trained to the current position where five colleges in Ireland now offer approved and accredited degree level courses. In addition nurses in practice, when the 2005 Act came into force have undergone a comprehensive upskilling process under transitional arrangements which were provided for in the Act. My amendment recognises the significant improvement in the training of nurses. It also reflects the positive manner in which the veterinary practitioners and nurses have worked together over recent years.

My amendment enjoys the support of all of the stakeholders, including the Veterinary Council and the Irish Veterinary Nursing Association and is, of its nature, expressed in quite technical terms. However, its objective can be summed up in the following three headings, the first of which is to clarify what nurses may do by way of minor surgery. There was general recognition among stakeholders that the existing definition in section 91(3)of the Actcould be open to misunderstanding. The revised definition, which is intended to clarify rather than expand or restrict the range of specific functions that nurses may undertake by way of minor surgery, has been arrived at following detailed consultations with all concerned, including the Veterinary Council and the UCD veterinary faculty.

Second, the amendment is designed to afford nurses greater latitude in terms of administering particular forms of medication. At present they can only be administered by a nurse in the presence of a vet. Given the greater degree of confidence that now exists between the two professions and the improved training that I mentioned, I propose that nurses would be enabled to administer the treatments when the overseeing vet is not physically present. This should facilitate a more effective management of clinical situations in future. The third objective is to clarify the terminology in the Act relating to functions that nurses may perform in the context of sedating and anaesthetising animals in preparation for surgery and post-operative.

As I have stated, the proposed amendment reflects careful consideration and wide consultation. It is consistent with the overall thrust of the Bill that practices be permitted to be conducted at the appropriate level of competence. It is also intended to facilitate the further development of the veterinary nursing profession working in collaboration with veterinary practitioner colleagues.

I also propose in section 6 to facilitate a greater range of recognition options for veterinary nurses. Taken in their totality, I hope Senators agree that they are in the interest, not just in the development of the veterinary nursing profession, but also for bringing services to animal owners on a cost-effective basis and with the appropriate degree of quality assurance. In some ways I regret that this change has come so late in the process but I cannot ignore representations from the Veterinary Council, supported by all of the other stakeholders, in an effort to improve the Bill. This is why I have introduced my amendment at this late stage.