Veterinary Practice Act 2005

Removal of members of Council from office.

22.—(1) (a) If the Council fails, neglects or refuses to perform any function assigned to it under this Act, the Minister may issue a direction in writing directing the Council to perform the function within a period of time specified in the direction, and for that purpose, to do matters that are ancillary or incidental to such performance as may be specified in the direction.

(b) The Minister may amend or revoke a direction made under this subsection.

(2) If the Council fails to comply with any direction under subsection (1), the Minister may by order remove all of the members of the Council from office.

(3) An order under this section may contain any provisions that the Minister considers necessary or expedient to enable the functions of the Council to be performed despite the removal from office of its members, including the appointment of one or more than one person to perform all or any of the Council's functions.

(4)  (a) Every order made under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the order is passed by either House of the Oireachtas within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the order is laid before it, the order shall be annulled, but without prejudice to the validity of anything done under the order.

(b) In the case of an order made under subsection (2), if a resolution annulling it is passed in accordance with paragraph (a) the members of the Council who had been removed from office by virtue of the order shall be deemed restored to office but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done by any person or persons appointed to perform all or any of the functions of the Council under subsection (3).