Ciarán Ahern (Dublin South West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the witnesses. I am not that familiar with the area. I am a Dublin TD and I am reading about it today. I have read all the statements that have been submitted. My conclusion is exactly the same as Deputy Whitmore's, which is to ask who is responsible for this and how have we got to this point where we know there has been a problem for 40 years. Presumably, those reports have been shared with the county council many times. There does not seem to be anyone to blame. The county council is at pains not to blame agriculture. To be fair, An Taisce seems to agree with the council. It states that the regulations and measures on nitrates and other such issues have been inadequate for a long period. Broadly speaking, farmers are complying with the measures that are being enforced. How long has the council and other bodies known that the regulations are not adequate? How many times has this been raised with local councillors? Have special presentations been given to councillors about what can be done? If, broadly speaking, everyone is operating within the law, then the laws and rules need to change. What proactivity has there been in recent years in that regard?