Mr. David Flynn:

I can answer the questions on enforcement and compliance and also on interaction. On compliance and inspections, we do not necessarily have data on the types of issues that are coming up in this regard. Local authorities carry out the inspections. We know, however, that the inspection rates are variable from year to year. We are doing some work now with the EPA through what is called the NIECE network, which is the network of local authority enforcement, and looking at targeting the inspections and resources we have at the areas of highest risk for water quality. We will only inspect in areas where there is something to inspect and where there is something that will improve water quality.

I will also mention ASSAP and the work done through LAWPRO. The latter goes into these high-risk areas and our 190 priority areas for action, looks at what is happening in those catchments and then pass that information to ASSAP, which is the farm advisory service. It works individually with farmers on a confidential basis. This approach is in its early stages and we only have early data but it has shown that the areas in question are performing better than the rest of the country. There is an awful lot of potential in that.

Regarding interaction, over the past two years as we put together the draft river basin management plan and this nitrates review as well as having been involved in the CAP strategic plan preparation, there has been considerable real-time ongoing interaction between our Departments. We work very well on these issues and have developed a keen understanding of the priorities across both Departments. I assure the Deputy that there is real and practical interaction and collaboration between the Departments on these issues.

In addition, more formal committees are in place. We on the water side have what is called the water policy advisory committee which is cross-departmental and deals with water quality issues. That is chaired by our assistant secretary. At an operational level, there is the national co-ordination and implementation committee and the technical implementation group. At all levels of governance, there is considerable interaction and practical working together.