Mr. David Flynn:

The 2027 target is very challenging. We need to get systems and measures in place that will stop the trends we are seeing and then reverse them. The programme, as proposed, goes a long way towards that. The modelling from Teagasc shows that if the plan is implemented, it will go a long way towards achieving the targets for this sector. We have the same caveat. There are other sectors on which we also need action, including the wastewater sector. That is what I am getting at when I talk about a collective effort. We need coherent and collective co-operation to get these measures into place, not only through inspections but also in order that people understand the importance of implementing them from an overall environmental point of view.

The derogation is not an either-or scenario. At a farm scale, the situation, soil type and geology are such that we can manage higher stocking rates in certain areas. As my colleague, Mr. Nolan, said, different approaches may have to be looked at in critical source areas as we find out more. We do not have the information to bring us down to farm scale but we have the pollution impact potential maps from the EPA which are giving us a lot more information than we ever had previously. We have much more information available to make decisions on the types of measures needed but those measures have to be implemented. They cannot be paper measures. Storage needs to be put in place and when we have closed periods we will need broad acceptance and adherence to them or we will be back here at the next review seeking to increase measures again.