Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party)
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Therefore, we need to get it right and I think that can be done. What we do not want to see is a massive expansion, for example, in the pig or poultry industries, which would see this huge economic opportunity to use the slurry for anaerobic digestion, and then have consequential problems with ammonia or water quality. It can be done in a way that protects the environment and provides farmers with an income. That is important because the retention and restoration of water quality is hugely important for farming. Farmers recognise that we need to go back to pristine waters to maintain our green status.

Any derogation will be measured on that more than on anything else. The EPA is correct. We can get the environmental conditions right. In some ways, by coming late to the table, which we are, we can learn from the mistakes of other countries and apply anaerobic digestion in a way that is sustainable. We can learn lessons from that.