Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for coming in. I will address Ms Connolly on the land use question. The big problem is that land use pressure is going to get worse because of the nature restoration law. In forestry, we are aiming at 8,000 ha per year, even though we are not near that. Under the changes in the derogation, dairy farmers will be down from 250 kg N/ha to 220 kg N/ha and will be looking for more land. I could also mention different things like tillage and solar farms. Given that more land is not being made, the pressure will get worse. I presume all the witnesses agree with the report that 50% of our waters are good, or at a high ecological status. Do they accept that?