Mr. Tim Cullinan:

The point Mr. Herlihy has made is relevant. When we compare water quality in Ireland with the situation across the EU, we are at a lower level. How the reporting is done is important. What needs to come out of this meeting is for the Minister to make a further submission to the European Commission to ensure that we can maintain the derogation as we move forward. It would be beneficial if we can focus some of the debate around that. As farmers, we really understand the importance of the derogation. That is why we are here today. If we come forward with a number of proposals, we would appreciate if the committee were to forward those proposals to the Minister. He is the person who will deliver the proposals to the Commission. I stress how important that is. If we could spend time today working on proposals that can go back to the Commission, it would be a very worthwhile exercise.