Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

The Minister's officials and officials from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government admitted at a committee meeting that they accept there are transitional difficulties for pig and poultry producers, yet none is prepared to put a structure in place to facilitate transition to the new scheme. Will the Minister direct them to do so? In regard to the information being provided by Teagasc to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government via the Department of Agriculture and Food for the P index, why is it that the Teagasc rules and guidelines for REPS are being thrown out the window? Teagasc has stated that the information furnished to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is not legally binding as there is no scientific evidence to back it and yet it is used by that Department as being legally binding under the nitrates directive. Will the Minister ask the director of Teagasc to clarify the position as he appears to have a different story from that of Dr. Cross and the scientific experts within Teagasc?

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