Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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For the ordinary person, my understanding is that there are three zones in Ireland for spreading fertiliser. I am not saying one farmer is better than another but could we have a situation where one farmer, who is highly efficient in climate and carbon reduction, may be alongside another who may not be and because they are in the same zone they will both be hit with the same penalty? Mr. Drennan made reference to a Teagasc report. What does he propose instead as a lead-in period? What is he proposing in substance that should happen now? As a layman looking on, I want consistency and fairness. Everyone accepts we have to move on climate action. It is just the way it is. We must move in a sustainable way. Dairying is very important. I represent Limerick city but the constituency also includes a rural area with a lot of dairy farming. The ICMSA is based in Limerick and I am very familiar with the work it does. Is everyone treated the same in the way the zones are laid out? What timeline does Mr. McCormack propose for the introduction of what is proposed in the nitrates directive?