Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

With regard to the proposals submitted to Brussels, the nitrates directive is to be implemented as and from 1 January next. Is the Minister confident a derogation will be in place by 1 January? What will be the implications if a derogation is not in place by that date? Is she aware it could take 12 months to introduce a derogation given the procedures involved? What steps have she and her colleague, the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, taken to ensure all the scientific evidence required will be made available?

What steps have been taken to comply with the water framework directive given that the derogation will be framed as part of this directive rather than the nitrates directive? Has a complete and accurate assessment been done on the quality of our ground water given that the review of the derogation in four years will be based on improvements achieved in our ground water?

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