Mr. Eoin Kinsella:

Having sampled in April of this year, we found that 11 of 13 sites had elevated levels of nitrates. It will take a number of mitigation measures to get those levels down. On diversion, I agree with Aquafact. It is complex. It is probably important for the ecological status as well. On alternatives to chemical fertiliser, there is efficiency in organic manures. Farmers need to become more efficient with the slurry they are applying, their farmyard manure and that type of thing.

The EIP was co-funded by the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine under the previous rural development programme. We were one of 12 projects selected. We were the first and only local authority to lead on an EIP. Numerous other EIPs have been funded since then. There is currently a move towards farm welfare, farm health and safety and that type of thing. There is a slight movement as regards EIP funding.

With regard to other actions, there are a great many projects out there. I go back to Deputy Whitmore's statement. Farmers, rather than Wexford County Council, do not know where to look for funding. That is the big issue. Looking at the types of funding out there now, we have the national water EIP, which is being run by LAWPRO. Teagasc is involved in the Farming for Water project, which highlights mitigation measures. There is funding out there but many farmers are stepping back and away from it. There are issues with ACRES as regards funding, payouts and farmers waiting for years and years. There is a major trust issue arising from farmers applying for a scheme and not getting paid for two years but, with regard to the EIP, auditing and that type of thing, we did a final survey with the EIP in Duncannon and the farmers were paid in the first quarter of the following year and that was it. It comes back to small-scale locally led schemes. That is what we should be looking at.