Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is a disappointing answer given the information that is available and the amount of work and research that are being done on this issue. This has been one of the major investment projects that the Irish agricultural industry has been driving for the past five, six or seven years. When this technology first became part of the targeted agriculture modernisation schemes, TAMS, six years ago, we thought it would take off. The uptake by the agricultural community has been amazing. We have seen the trailing shoe adopted by many communities and it has resulted in a significant reduction in ammonia.

The witnesses spoke at length about ammonia this afternoon. I am disappointed with the quality of the answer to my question. I expected a lot more in this debate. We need to have a genuine debate. It has been put to me that An Taisce is anti-dairy and has a bias against the dairy industry. When I hear the quality of the response, I have to question how we will get the meaningful engagement that is so important.

The EPA regularly issues reports on water quality and local authorities. This is a major bone of contention for the farming community, which has invested hundreds of millions of euro in water quality. Of the 200 settlements in County Cork, 170 do not have water treatment plants.

What are the witnesses' views on the failure by the local authority and Irish Water regarding the water quality issue?