Brian Leddin (Limerick City, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. I was happy to hear Mr. Callanan refer to the importance of the science-led approach. I put on record my dismay at the comments of the president of the Irish Farmers Association, IFA, when he disregarded the report published last week and described it as nonsensical. That was unfair to the EPA and the scientists working in it because they are absolutely committed to science, as we all should be. Mr. Cullinan is not here to defend himself but he went on the record and went out very strongly to undermine the EPA and its report. That is regrettable. If the witnesses want to address the point that the report is nonsensical, I would be interested to hear their views.

We have to figure out a way forward that is not divisive and is as unified as possible. It could be argued that the derogation is a blunt instrument. The Commission is at the point where it is using a blunt instrument to address the issue because there has been such a decline in the water quality in our river courses and we have not got into line with the objectives of the water framework directive, notwithstanding the good work that has been done vis-à-visthe nitrates action plans and by farmers all over the country, some more than others. That has to be acknowledged.

In addressing the challenge of water quality perhaps beyond the derogation, and even beyond 2027, I would like to hear more from the Department on the river basin management plans and the catchment-based approach to improving water quality. Perhaps that issue is more for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I ask the officials to talk about catchment-specific measures to address the challenge that we have in improving our water quality. There are approximately 1,000 bodies of water in the country that are impacted by agriculture. The river basin management plans seem to be the correct instrument to address that water quality.