Mr. Tadhg Buckley:

I thank Mr. Gorman, and Deputy Flaherty for the question. On the water quality side of it, what we have seen over the last ten years, if you look at the nitrates levels, is that they really have more or less flatlined. They have more or less remained the same, if you look within the margin of error. We fully understand, particularly if we look at the requirements of the water framework directive, that we need to see improvement. We are fortunate, and people sometimes do not appreciate that if you look at, say, groundwater for nitrate levels, we are no. 4 in the EU on that. There are other aspects of measurements of water quality where we are probably in the top third. We are coming from a good place but at the same time, we understand completely that we have to continue to protect and improve water quality.

The challenge with that is that it is an incredibly complex issue. Farmers have taken on board over 30 measures since 2020, and there are more measures coming again now. We have an interim review of the nitrates action programme ongoing, and that will bring more measures. We have done a huge amount since the start of this decade. You do not see those results overnight.

The authorities at both EU and national levels need to fully appreciate the lag times, particularly at the EU level. There needs to be an acceptance that we are implementing the measures already but we need to be given the space and the opportunity to demonstrate-----