Veterinary Practice Act 2005

Appointment of members of Council.

16.—(1) The members of the Council shall be appointed by the Minister and shall consist of the following:

(a) one person who is registered or is eligible to be registered under Part 4 ;

(b) two persons who are not eligible to be so registered, but one at least of whom avails of veterinary services in the course of a business, trade or profession;

(c) one person who is not eligible to be so registered, but who performs functions relating to animal welfare;

(d) one person who is nominated for appointment as a member of the Council by the Minister for Education and Science and is engaged in the provision of higher education;

(e) 2 persons who are nominated for such appointment by a relevant body or bodies specified by the Minister by order under subsection (2) or, where no body is specified, are nominated for appointment by the National University of Ireland, of whom—

(i) one is registered or is eligible to be registered under Part 4 or 8,

(ii) one is not eligible to be so registered;

(f) one person who is nominated for such appointment by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland;

(g) one person who is nominated for such appointment by the Director of Consumer Affairs;

(h) 9 persons who are registered under Part 4, who are chosen for such appointment in accordance with section 18 ;

(i) one person who is registered under Part 8, who is chosen for such appointment in accordance with section 18 .

(2)  (a) Where the Minister considers it appropriate in the circumstances, the Minister may by order specify one or more than one relevant body for the purposes of subsection (1)(e).

(b) Where more than 2 relevant bodies are specified by order, they shall jointly nominate 2 persons for appointment.

(c) An order under this section shall not affect the Council members standing appointed pursuant to subsection (1)(e) or a previous order under this section.

(d) An order under this section may be amended or revoked by the Minister by order.

(3) In this section “relevant body” means a body that provides programmes of education or programmes of further education or grants degrees or other academic awards in relation to such programmes and includes the National University of Ireland but does not include the Council or the Board.