Emer Currie
Question:278. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [70659/25]
View answerWednesday, 10 December 2025
Questions (278)
Written answers
The Veterinary Council of Ireland (“VCI”) is an independent statutory body set up under the Veterinary Practice Act 2005, as amended.The principal function of the Veterinary Council is to regulate and manage the practice of veterinary medicine and veterinary nursing in the Republic of Ireland, in the interest of animal health and welfare and in the interest of veterinary public health.
Please see below completed table for your information which details all legal costs incurred by the VCI from 2015 to 2024, alongside costs incurred for Authorised Officer investigations which has been provided to my Department by the VCI.
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(Note 1) |
Authorised Officer |
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Total |
Investigations |
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Legal Costs |
Costs |
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(includes |
(includes |
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Year |
VAT) |
VAT) |
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2024 |
€924,919 |
€18,265 |
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2023 |
€775,497 |
€69,453 |
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2022 |
€782,534 |
€97,562 |
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2021 |
€678,801 |
€45,216 |
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2020 |
€595,897 |
€15,237 |
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2019 |
€531,014 |
€12,716 |
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2018 |
€409,766 |
€16,494 |
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2017 |
€653,856 |
€11,028 |
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2016 |
€491,254 |
€12,305 |
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2015 |
€409,148 |
€23,105
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Please Note:
Legal costs above include solicitors' fees, barristers' fees, stenography fees, expert fees and expenses, legal assessor fees, fees of the Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson of the Fitness to Practice, all fees associated with any litigation or court proceedings issued by or against the Veterinary Council alongside fees for general legal advice sought throughout each year.