Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)

The Minister lied. She has been duping Irish farmers in this regard. There is no doubt that the core principle of an approach to the implementation of the nitrates directive based on scientific evidence was shelved in favour of political expediency. The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government used that avenue and the Minister for Agriculture and Food sat back and let him do so. We have 50,000 REPS plans in this country which are currently illegal.

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