Mr. Bill Callanan:

The Deputy asked about the reduction from 250 kg N/ha to 220 kg N/ha. In negotiating a nitrates derogation, we must recognise that the process is very detailed. It requires presentations to the nitrates committee. It also comprises engagement with the Commission, which ultimately proposes the derogation for vote and require confidence that it will not have a negative impact. As part of that, in the decision of 2022 there was the inclusion by the Commission quite late in the day of a caveat stating that water quality had disimproved. The Commission wanted evidence to ensure we were going to get back on the right track in that regard. Let us call a spade a spade: cow numbers had expanded significantly in the previous period. Water quality had generally declined. The Commission wanted comfort that Ireland was on the correct path to improve water quality. That was the key driver in terms of the-----