Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Water metering is a controversial issue but alternatives that could be used by farmers, including rainwater, will be examined in the context of ensuring efficiencies within the farming sector.

With regard to the storage of clear water, the farm waste management scheme dealt specifically with soiled water and slurry. I expanded the scheme to allow for other necessary works to be carried out on the farmyard, following issues that were raised by farmers in all the local meetings I have held with them.

With regard to specifications, at the end of the day, this is a matter between Teagasc and the Department. Both Teagasc and the private planners have available to them all the specifications needed in order to have entitlements under this scheme and they have been forthcoming. We have worked with farmers to ensure that, within the realms of possibility, everything that can be done to support them will be done. As the Deputy knows, that has happened in the context of the rules and regulations provided.

The Deputy is slightly flippant in saying the issue of rainwater will have to be dealt with by 1 January 2007. Issues still have to be finalised concerning the farm waste management scheme. Lest it be said otherwise, my view regarding rainwater is that the majority of farmers are dealing with the issue of clean water as opposed to soiled water. Under the farm waste management scheme the emphasis has been placed on soiled water, waste and slurry.

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