The Veterinary Surgeons (Agreement with the Republic of Ireland) Order 1988

SCHEDULE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED KINGDOM OF GREAT BRITAIN AND NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND WITH RESPECT TO VETERINARY SURGEONS

The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Ireland hereby agree as follows:—

ARTICLE 1

Interpretation

In this Agreement:—

“the Act” means the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966;

“the 1972 Agreement” means the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Ireland with respect to veterinary surgeons of 1st December 1972;

“the College” means the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons;

“the Council” means the Council of the College;

“the Irish Council” means the Veterinary Council in the Republic of Ireland;

“member” means a member of the College;

“membership year” means the membership year of the College running from the 1st day of April to the 31st day of March;

“the register” means the register of veterinary surgeons in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; and

“the Irish register” means the register of veterinary surgeons for the Republic of Ireland.

ARTICLE 2

Representation of the Republic of Ireland on the Council

Any person who:—

(a) holds office as a member of the Council on 30th May 1988, and

(b) has acquired his office by virtue of article 2(2)(a) or (c) of the 1972 Agreement,

shall cease to hold such office on 31st May 1988.

ARTICLE 3

Fees

(1)

Any person:—

(a)

upon whom the degree of Bachelor in or of Veterinary Medicine (MVB) has been conferred by the University of Dublin or by the National University of Ireland or to whom the Diploma of membership of the College (MRCVS) has been awarded as a result of an examination following a full course of study at either of the said universities or at the Veterinary College of Ireland; and

(b)

who, as a result of the conferment or award of that degree or diploma, registered in the register and became a member before 31st May 1988,

shall not be required to pay a fee in respect of his membership of the College in any year provided that, during that year, his sole or principal place of practice of veterinary surgery is within the area of jurisdiction of the Irish Council.

(2)

Any person:—

(a)

upon whom a qualification in veterinary surgery has been conferred outside the area of jurisdiction of the Irish Council;

(b)

who, as a result of the conferment of that qualification, was registered in the register and became a member before 31st May 1988; and

(c)

who was resident in and was practising veterinary surgery within the area of jurisdiction of the Irish Council on that date,

shall not be required to pay a fee in respect of his membership of the College in any membership year provided that, during that year, his sole or principal place of practice of veterinary surgery is within the area of jurisdiction of the Irish Council.

(3)

A member who, by virtue of paragraph (1) or (2) above, is not required to pay a fee in respect of his membership of the College may not vote, propose any candidate or stand as a candidate in any election of members of the Council which takes place after 31st May 1988 unless he has paid, in respect of every membership year that has occurred between that date and the date of the election, the fee prescribed by regulation of the Council under Section 11(1)(b) of the Act, on or before 31st March in every such year.

ARTICLE 4

Allegations of professional misconduct

After the coming into force of this Agreement, if a person who is registered in both the register and the Irish register is alleged to have been guilty of disgraceful conduct in any professional respect then, if such a person practises as a veterinary surgeon exclusively within the area of jurisdiction of the Irish Council such person practises as a veterinary surgeon both within and outside that area and the disgraceful conduct is alleged to have been committed within that area the Irish Council may exercise in relation to such allegation and such person all the powers which it can exercise from time to time in respect of the same type of allegation made against a person who is registered in the Irish register alone.

ARTICLE 5

Entry into force

(1) This Agreement shall come into force on 31st May 1988.

(2) The 1972 Agreement is revoked.

ARTICLE 6

The Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Republic of Ireland shall, as soon as possible, take such steps as may be necessary under the laws of their respective countries to enable effect to be given to the preceding provisions of this Agreement.

In witness whereof the undersigned, duly authorised by their respective governments, have signed this Agreement.

Done in two originals at London this 11th day of April 1988

For the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland:

Tim Eggar

For the Government of the Republic of Ireland:

Andrew O'Rourke