Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That is good information.

I refer to the derogation and the review that has been going on since April or May. There is a good deal of consultation taking place. There is serious concern in terms of the derogation and its being rolled out in the future. I met representatives from the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, in Kilkenny earlier in the week in order to discuss that matter. According to the statistics, only 19% of farmers are availing of this derogation in terms of 130 kg to 250 kg of fertiliser per hectare; 81% are under 130 kg so it does not affect them. The IFA representatives I met stated that they are doing a two or three-year survey of people who have been getting this derogation and that it has emerged that it has no adverse effect on rivers, water levels, wells, etc. Why is this derogation under review? Is it with a view to cutting it back, excluding people from obtaining it or bringing it to an end?