Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As Deputy Cahill said, there was a lot of investment for on-farm storage. Land that is taken that is slurry is a bit part of the problem. What do we do about that? Could the witnesses elaborate on anaerobic digestion, the scale of it and what supports would be required to have that as part of the option? Where do they feel that can go and what can be done about that? I often think the world is a funny place because we have all these international bodies, the EU and everyone else putting pressure on every country in Europe to train and up its game regarding protecting the environment and environmental standards but, at the same time, similar bodies like the European Central Bank inflicted all sorts of austerity on countries like Ireland which meant that the we did not have the money to invest in county councils to be able to protect the environment. It is a circle and someone somewhere needs to step back, look at the big picture and realise that it is not all down to the farmer to solve these problems. Other places have to pull their weight as well.

Mr. Healy mentioned the use of lime on land and what needs to be done in respect of that and what kind of programme is allowed. Could he comment further on that?