Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine has committed to reviewing the position with regard to the nitrates regulations being weather dependent in light of last weekend's deadline. I know it is a matter of direct responsibility for the Minister, Deputy Coveney, who is seated beside the Taoiseach. As a result of the unusual weather conditions this year, many farmers still have not been able to spread slurry and there is much confusion as to whether flexibility will provided so they can do it. Flexibility has been given by the Minister's counterpart in Northern Ireland where farmers can demonstrate that they have not been able to have the work carried out. I ask the Taoiseach for an update and whether similar flexibility will be shown here.

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