Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I have some experience of the nitrates directive, which took ten years. We had a considerable time for scrutiny and discussion. I appreciate what Deputy Kenny is saying. As a former Minister, he knows that when a political decision is made by the Council of Ministers the legal interpretation of that decision is the first hurdle, not to mention the transposition of a directive in each member state and the various interpretations of it.

I do not see an issue with Deputy Kenny's proposal. Directives and their transposition can take considerable time. A number of EU directives remain to be finalised. I do not see why Deputy Kenny's proposal could not be facilitated.

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