Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for a really informative discussion.

It is great to get so many different perspectives from key stakeholders, which, ultimately, is what we all are. Dr. Crowe spoke about there being 4,500 waterbodies. It is such an enormous task when it is put like that, bearing in mind the large number of stakeholders for each of those bodies and the fact that each body will require objectives, whether that is to protect or restore. There needs to be some level of an action plan for every waterbody, which is a mammoth task. It is because of the strength of our stakeholders and of organisations such as our guests' that this is not as daunting a task as it would otherwise be.

I commend the Water Forum on its very comprehensive and well thought-out submission. I liked the way its representatives talked about an outcome-based approach and went through some practical measures that could be implemented. There was a reference to governance and they spoke about the pressure in regard to training and engagement with landowners. Dr. O'Mara of Teagasc gave a rundown of the agricultural sustainability support advisory project. I have to admit, I did not know much about this but it was so encouraging to hear about the level of outreach to farmers that is happening, with free and confidential advice to help them improve water quality and minimise the impact on our waterbodies. Nevertheless, I am concerned about that one third of farmers who are non-compliant, which he mentioned. I appreciate he dealt with this in response to what Deputy Flaherty asked, and that it is not Teagasc's jurisdiction to enforce this, but how can Teagasc, the Government or whatever stakeholder he considers most appropriate not only incentivise compliance on those matters but also deliver it? We need compliance across the board.

One of the interesting points in the SWAN submission related to forestry, which, of course, is relevant to and intertwined with the issues of water basins and waterbodies. I would love to learn a little more about that perspective from the SWAN representatives.