The Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI) has announced today (Monday March 23) that Niamh Muldoon will step down from her role as registrar and chief executive of the council following seven years of service.

Muldoon has served as registrar since April 2019 leading the organisation during a period of significant development for the veterinary professions in Ireland and for the council’s regulatory framework.

During her tenure, the council progressed several initiatives, including: the review of the Code of Professional Conduct; an updated governance framework; the introduction of regulations on a statutory instrument footing to support the safeguarding of the VCI Registers; the publication of the VCI Workforce Review; revised accreditation standards; and the development of health initiatives to support veterinary professionals.

President of the Veterinary Council of Ireland, Joe Walsh thanked Niamh Muldoon for her service to the council and the professions:

“On behalf of council, I would like to thank Niamh for her dedicated service as registrar over the past seven years.

"During her tenure, the council continued to strengthen its regulatory framework and progressed several important initiatives in support of the veterinary professions and the protection of the public interest, animal welfare and veterinary public health.”

Deputy president of the Veterinary Council of Ireland, Caroline Garvan, also acknowledged Muldoon’s contribution: “Ms. Muldoon has provided steady leadership to the organisation and worked closely with successive councils, committees and the executive team to support the council in fulfilling its statutory mandate.

"We wish her every success in the next stage of her career.”

Meanwhile, Muldoon expressed her appreciation for the opportunity to serve in the role: “It has been an honour and privilege to serve as registrar of the Veterinary Council of Ireland.

The Veterinary Council of Ireland has started the process to appoint a successor.

In the meantime, it has appointed Leo Kearns as interim registrar and chief executive.

The VCI is the statutory body responsible for the regulation of veterinary doctors and veterinary nurses in Ireland under the Veterinary Practice Act 2005.

The council’s role is to protect the public interest by ensuring high standards of professional education, professional conduct and veterinary practice.