Jackie Cahill (Tipperary, Fianna Fail)
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I will make two more points and then let Deputy Kerrane in. I fully acknowledge what the Minister did in the Finance (No. 2) Bill and in the budget regarding financing extra slurry storage on farms. Getting water quality right is absolutely essential in our derogation battle. This year, when the opening period came in the middle of January, after stock was in very early with the weather we were getting, we saw that an awful lot of slurry was spread in January. My personal view is that if we are going to win this battle on water quality, we need extra slurry storage. While I accept that the Minister put a mechanism in place for tillage farmers who are importing slurry to get a very significant grant, I strongly urge that the same thing be done for all farmers to increase their slurry storage. It is absolutely essential if we are going to win this battle. I refer to climate change. The reality is that when we get some of this very heavy rain, no matter what kind of guttering is on sheds, at times, they are just not able to take it. There definitely is water getting into tanks in places when we get these very heavy downpours. The previous requirements for slurry storage need to be re-examined in my view. If we are going to extend the requirements on farms as regards getting water quality right, it would be essential to get a better grant support in place.

I will point to a time when I had a previous hat on. When Deputy Brendan Smith held the Minister's portfolio, he brought in an exceptional grant for capital investment on farms around 2007. It made a very significant impact at the time on improving facilities on farms and water quality. I urge that a similar thing be done again. We are at a crossroads. In my view, slurry storage is one of the key components if we are to win that battle. I would urge that, if we can get scope at all. I fully accept that the Minister made improvements in the previous budget, but this is something we need to focus on in 2024. That was more of a statement than a question.