Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We had a constructive discussion with the IFA last week. Of course, that is not the only discussion we have had. I issued an invitation to all farm organisations and met with the ICMSA the previous week, when I briefed and updated that organisation on the engagement and meeting I had with the Commissioner and the outcome of it. We also discussed the other key issue at the moment, which is the payment dates. I gave a commitment to the ICMSA that day in respect of on-farm investment and TAMS that we were approving 100% of applications received and were putting in place a mechanism to ensure those ready and waiting to do work this autumn would be expedited. I also gave a clear commitment on payment dates that for next year we would return to the previous dates people were used to, given we have our systems built and rolled out and will be in a position to nip, tuck and bring everything back to the dates everybody was used to previously.

In Tipperary, on the border of the Cathaoirleach’s future constituency and in his current constituency, which he represents very strongly, we had good engagement with the IFA on the same issues. We discussed many issues. It was not just in relation to nitrates but was broad-ranging across a number of issues. I outlined the fact the Government has been working hard on the derogation to get the best outcome possible and stated the Government, will, as it has done, work together to support farmers in the time ahead.

We have 130,000 farms nationally, of which 7,000 are currently in derogation and farming between 170 kg and 250 kg of organic nitrogen per hectare of land. Somewhere over 3,000 of those 7,000 are farming between 220 kg and 250 kg and are, therefore, particularly impacted by this change to the limit in the derogation.

It is really about how we work to support those. I will be engaging further with the water quality working group in regard to how we do it. I am very open to proposals and suggestions as to how we can best support them.