Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The sixth group relates to the non-application of provisions to certain enactments and regulations. While this sounds somewhat technical, my Department became aware that late last year, the Minister for Health had introduced a new statutory instrument amending the Irish Medicines Board Act 1995 to reflect recent changes in the law at European Union level that are reflected in the replacement of the Cruelty to Animals Act 1876 by the European Union (Protection of Animals used for Scientific Purposes) Regulations 2012. Therefore, it is necessary to keep the references in the Bill up to date. That is all that is being done. This will reflect this new European Union regulation as regards animals that are used for scientific purposes.