Paul Daly (Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am aware we have been through this before but I would like some clarification. The EPA does actual physical water testing and water sampling but it also does a lot of modelling. In response to Senator Lombard, Dr. Cotter said the EPA would have a better idea next year because they would have the fertiliser database register. What influence should the fertiliser register have on a report the EPA would give? Is it not just based on the quality of the water? I will use this simple analogy: if I spread 10 tonnes of nitrogen in a certain area in the morning, it might do absolutely no damage to water whereas someone else could spread half a tonne on the same day in an area that could have an astronomical effect on the water. Knowing how much is being spread, should the EPA not be able to tell that from its water samples? Should this not be all about water sample testing rather than modelling as if the EPA did not know what other information there is? It can be misleading at times.