59.—(1) Notwithstanding section 54 and following consultation with the Council, the Minister may, by regulations, provide that a person who is not a registered person may, in treating an animal in an emergency, carry out a procedure that comes within the definition of the practice of veterinary medicine.

(2) The regulations referred to in subsection (1), may provide that any procedure specified in the regulations shall be performed in compliance with conditions so specified, which conditions may be inserted for the purposes of—

(a) giving full effect in the State to any—

(i) provision of the Treaties governing the European Communities,

(ii) regulation, directive or other act adopted by an institution of those Communities, or

(iii) a judgement of the European Court of Justice,

that relates to the practice of veterinary medicine,

(b) maintaining and improving standards of animal health and welfare in the State,

(c) regulating and ensuring the proper practice of veterinary medicine in the State, or

(d) ensuring the adequate provision of veterinary services in the State.

(3) Every regulation made by the Minister under subsection (1) or section F19[54A or] 55(5) shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it is made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the regulation is laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under it.

(4) A person who is not a registered person may not carry out a procedure prescribed under subsection (1) unless he or she complies with such conditions as may be specified under subsection (2).

(5) A person who contravenes subsection (4) is guilty of an offence.