Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have a few questions but I would also like clarification on a few things said to previous speakers, Senator Lombard and Senator Boyhan in particular. To pre-empt, I will ask a question on Dr. Cotter's answer to Senator Lombard regarding County Leitrim. We will again use as an example our good friends in County Leitrim where there is only one farmer in derogation. She said it was possibly included because there was an increased nitrates level. Will she clarify that? If the level has increased in EPA's modelling or previous testing, could it still be below the permissible or acceptable level, yet County Leitrim has been included in this red map by virtue of the EPA's conclusion, which is another matter on which I wish to follow up? Dr. Cotter spoke about peer review but will she clarify that point first? The EPA based the red map, in particular, the inclusion of County Leitrim in it, on an increase from the previous test. However, the increase may not be an issue because it may still be at a permissible level.