asked the Minister for Agriculture if he will state if it is the diploma of the Royal Veterinary College in England that successful students receive in the Veterinary College at Ballsbridge; and if he will state if any body in this State has power to grant a veterinary diploma or degree to students in this college.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Veterinary Diplomas.
The diploma awarded to successful students at the Veterinary College, Balisbridge, is that of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons to which the college, in common with the other veterinary colleges in Great Britain and Ireland, is affiliated. The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons is not a teaching institution, but an examining body which controls the standard of and carries out the examinations of the affiliated colleges. This is the only diploma in veterinary science which will legally entitle the holder to practise veterinary medicine and surgery in Great Britain and Ireland. The control of veterinary surgeons in Ireland is exercised by the Veterinary Council set up by the Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1931, and no person can practise as a veterinary surgeon in Ireland unless his name is on the Register of Veterinary Surgeons controlled by the Irish Veterinary Council. Discussions have taken place with University College, Dublin, on the question of instituting a degree in veterinary medicine, but no decision has yet been reached.
Could the Minister say when it is likely that a decision will be reached, or if he could do anything to speed it up?
It is very hard to say that. These discussions have been going on for some years.
Will the Minister promise to make representations with a view to speeding them up?
I can do my best.
Will the Minister ensure that the negotiations will contain provisos for reciprocal facilities between the Veterinary College of Great Britain and this country in recognising our respective diplomas?
These negotiations, if successful, would provide for a degree in veterinary medicine here, but that degree would only entitle a person to practise veterinary medicine here. It would still be open to a student, of course, to take the diploma of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
Is it not so, in connection with medical diplomas, that reciprocal arrangements have been made with Great Britain and other nations of the Commonwealth? Would the Minister not consider it desirable to have a similar arrangement?
We had established schools here in that case.
In the event of establishing a school, no serious difficulty would arise.
That will be kept in mind.