Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have two questions and they are appropriate to each group. In our discussions on this, the phrase “lag time” comes up a lot. It was a particular bone of contention for many of the farming organisations when the midterm review of the derogation was first mooted.

Where there is N and P in water and farmers engage in actions such as the reduction in artificial fertiliser, the introduction of LIS, or the provisions in ACRES, how long does it take to see improvement? How long between the actions being taken by farmers and so on before we see an improvement in water? Was enough time given between the introduction of all those actions and changes, such as the fertiliser register and everything we have discussed, and the midterm review to see whether the actions we were taking were making progress?

The only catchment mentioned in any of the submissions here was the Barrow, Nore and Suir. While we are talking about the derogation, there are far more intensive dairy areas of the country which are not mentioned and have better water quality. I would be interested in everyone’s opinions on that. Will the reduction in the stocking rate improve the Barrow, Nore and Suir, which is predominantly a tillage area?

Those are my two questions for comment by all groups here.