Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The derogation we have goes from January to December. It is the average of nitrogen loading over the year. That is the derogation we have and there is no possibility of renegotiating it and getting a legal, statutory amendment to it. We must work with the terms and conditions of the derogation we have.

The map and data indicating which areas were failing at least one of the four tests set under the derogation were published at the end of June. Those areas would be required to drop to 220 kg N/ha. We have engaged with the Commissioner and the Commission and there may be some possibility for very slight adjustments in that regard but we expect any adjustments to be marginal. Those who are in the red area at the moment have been there since the end of June. As I said earlier, some catchments may not be in the red area at the moment but might have higher nitrates that were not captured in the data. That issue will be assessed as part of our national nitrates action review in the autumn of this year. If any adjustment were required outside the red zone based on the scientific data, we can assure farmers that those adjustments would not take effect until January 2025 to allow them time to plan ahead and adjust.