Eugene Murphy (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh gach duine. They are very welcome. Engagement and debate are very important. It is good to hear Ms Dubsky talk about the engagement she is having with people in Macra na Feirme about developments in respect of the environment that are obviously very exciting for her. If I may say so, there is a gulf. I was reared on a small farm in County Roscommon. There is a gulf between farmers and those people who are trying to give us a very important message. I have heard Professor Sweeney on "The Joe Finnegan Show" on Shannonside Northern Sound. I produced that show for years. In fairness, he always tries to bring the farmers on board and always acknowledges that they face great challenges. While I do not mean this as a criticism but instead point it out as something we should learn from, in some of this debate, some of us have tended to talk down to farmers. As a politician, in dealing with agricultural issues down through the years, I have found it far more productive to meet a few farmers in the area than to hold big public meetings. I urge Professor Sweeney to take every opportunity to talk to community groups and farming groups on the ground.

I would not say there is one farmer who does not want good water quality. It is highly important for everybody's health. I have a question to ask in that regard. Obviously, there are parts of the country where the water quality is bad and parts where it is very good. Can any of the witnesses tell me where the problems are bigger and where they are smaller?