Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Dr. O'Connell's point is quite interesting. If Article 12 had been brought forward a decade ago, there is no way we could have reached these targets. It is such a blunt instrument. It is very like the Leitrim scenario that has been discussed in the Dáil. It just proves how blunt it really is. I got the impression that the EPA is frustrated. That is why it produced the second map. The second map was not a part of the actual process; the EPA produced that off its own bat. Unfortunately, when Article 12 was negotiated, it was not fit for purpose, which has put us in the dilemma we face today.

I will ask Dr. O'Connell about page 11 in particular and the national trend published in the graph. I pushed the EPA on this issue. I tried to make the point that over a 12-year period nitrates went up by 0.7 mg. Will Dr. O'Connell give her opinion on that graph? Where does she think we are in the context of the information contained on page 11 of that report?