I move:
That Seanad Éireann hereby confirms the Veterinary Surgeons (Confirmation of Agreement) Order, 1972.
Private Business. - Veterinary Surgeons (Confirmation of Agreement) Order, 1972: Motion.
The order in question was made by the Government on 19th December, 1972, under section 4 of the Veterinary Surgeons Act, 1952. It provides for the confirmation of a new agreement with respect to veterinary surgeons concluded with the United Kingdom Government on 1st December, 1972. This new veterinary surgeons' agreement, which is set out in the Schedule to the present order, is a consolidating measure. It brings up to date and consolidates in the one agreement the provisions of the two previous agreements, that is, the agreement of 1931 and the agreement of 1954, and at the same time makes some minor amendments relating mainly to procedure.
The new agreement continues the provisions of the two previous agreements relating to (i) arrangements for the acceptance of Irish University veterinary degrees as entitling the holders to registration in the UK. Register of Veterinary Surgeons and to become members of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons; (ii) Irish representation on the Council of the Royal College; (iii) facilities for that council to visit and report upon the courses, et cetera, leading to our veterinary degrees; and (iv) arrangements for the investigation of allegations of professional misconduct by persons registered in both the Irish Veterinary Register and the UK Register.
There were full consultations with the Veterinary Council, the statutory governing body of the veterinary profession, when the provisions of the new agreement were being drafted and the agreement was concluded with its concurrence.
This, so far as I can understand it, is merely an order to give mutual recognition by the Irish Veterinary Association and the UK Veterinary Association. It appears to have no bearing on the regulations which might be brought in as a result of joining the EEC. We have no comment to make on this side of the House on the order as it stands.
Question put and agreed to.