Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 5 July 2023
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine
Ireland's Water Quality: Discussion
Mr. David Flynn:
Essentially, two interim reviews are being carried out simultaneously. As part of the fifth nitrates action programme, we committed to a mid-term review for the reasons that some people have cited, for example, the lag in water quality. That review is being carried out on the entire nitrates action programme and is led by us in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. When the application for the derogation was made, there was a requirement for an interim review that examined the question of 220 kg versus 250 kg. The requirement is for the 220 kg plus additional measures. This is essentially the first review I mentioned. We are running both reviews concurrently. They are being led by us along with colleagues from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the nitrates expert group. We now have the benefit of the input from the Minister, Deputy McConalogue's group, which is chaired by Mr. Callanan.