Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

We must be positive on the basis that a derogation is tremendously important to the farming community and there will be serious issues if we are not in a position to secure it. The Commission is not happy with the way things have been done and it wants a nitrates action plan agreed that should be rolled out as quickly as possible. I cannot pre-empt the view of the Commission on the derogation but it is acutely aware, as is the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, of its huge importance.

I am confident we will be able to work within the timeframe that has been set down in legislation. The nitrates action plan will not be in place instantly on 1 January next year because we require a lead-in period to deal with the issues that are part of the plan. On the basis of the work that has been done in the Department, we are aware of the implications and have prepared a substantial scientific proposal on the derogation. We will be working vigorously on that once the discussions with the Commission on the nitrates action plan have been completed.

See this speech in context