Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

That has to be where we are at and it is my message to farmers as well. We fought very hard to get 220 kg N/ha; it could have been a lot lower this time around. We negotiated hard to make sure we got where we are but we were in a very difficult position. What the Deputy said is accurate - to make sure we are in a stronger position at the end of 2025, we have to show continued improvement and get the trend in the right direction in relation to water quality. The current nitrates action programme review puts us in a good place to do that. The €60 million investment in the water quality project through the European Innovation Partnership, EIP, is important in that regard because it is about working down at farm level with farmers in terms of how we manage nutrients and how to ensure that it grows grass or crops, rather than impacting water quality in the area.