Mayo vet elected deputy president of Veterinary Council of Ireland

THE Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) has appointed Vivienne Duggan as president and Rachel Brown as deputy president of the organisation, with immediate effect.

They were appointed following an uncontested election by members of the Veterinary Council.

Vivienne Duggan works as an Associate Professor in Equine Clinical Studies at the School of Veterinary Medicine in University College Dublin and has spent time working across a number of mixed veterinary practices including equine, general and speciailty practice in Ireland and abroad.

Rachel Brown is a veterinary practitioner, working from Moy Veterinary Clinic, a mixed practice serving companion animal and farm animals in Ballina.

Speaking about her appointment as president, Vivienne Duggan said: “It is an immense honour to have been elected as president of the Veterinary Council of Ireland. I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on the council, along with the registrar and executive team in the interest of the public and of animal health and welfare.”

Said Rachel Brown on her appointment: “It is truly a privilege to be serving in this new role and it was extremely gratifying to have been elected by my colleagues on the council. The work of the Veterinary Council is essential to ensuring a well-regulated veterinary sector in Ireland, and protecting the interests of the public.”

Added Niamh Muldoon, CEO and registrar of VCI: “I warmly congratulate our new president and deputy president on their incoming term of office and look forward to working with them both to advance the work of the Veterinary Council on matters of animal health and welfare and public health.

“This is an historic election, as it is the first time that the Veterinary Council benefits from a female president and deputy president in office simultaneously.”

She paid tribute to the outgoing president and deputy president, Joe Moffitt and Dr. Ailís Ní Riain, for their unwavering levels of commitment and dedication to their roles over the last two years.