I understand from the Veterinary Council of Ireland that the essential reason underlying the withdrawal by the Australian registration authority from the mutual recognition arrangements with this country relates to the break in the link between the Veterinary Council and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons; this latter break arose in the context of the setting up of EU mutual recognition arrangements. I am informed that the Veterinary Council also understands that the Australian authorities, which, with New Zealand, have become part of a broader Australian registration authority, have also ended recognition arrangements with certain other countries, both within the EU and outside.
The ending by the Australian authorities of the mutual recognition arrangements has the effect that under current legislation governing the veterinary profession in Ireland, the Veterinary Council is precluded from recognising the relevant Australian qualification. Similarly, Irish veterinary graduates will not be registered by the Australian authorities on the basis of their Irish veterinary qualification, but may, I understand, sit an examination in Australia in order to gain such registration.
I have obtained Government approval to bring forward legislation to replace the current legislation regulating the veterinary profession in Ireland, which legislation would include provisions enabling the Veterinary Council, in appropriate circumstances, to recognise third country qualifications, even in the absence of reciprocal recognition arrangements with the country concerned. I am anxious to proceed with circulation of this draft legislation at the earliest possible date and I am currently awaiting finalisation of the legal drafting by the parliamentary counsel's office.
