Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not agree at all with the Deputy in relation to saying we know the derogation is not going to continue. It is absolutely Ireland's position at a European level to continue to seek to maintain this derogation, and this is the position I, as Taoiseach, will take at the European Council when these issues arise. I am concerned that this is not a position the Deputy would take if she were in government, because I fully agree that we do need to improve water quality. I share the concerns expressed by the EPA that there is no indication yet of an overall net improvement in water quality. We do, though, have a particular and unique grass-based system here. In Ireland, our climate and our soils do justify the derogation and I do not think we should suggest it is a matter of improved water quality or of keeping the derogation. We need to improve water quality while maintaining the derogation. This is what the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, is going to lead the Government's efforts on, namely, bringing together a task force composed of representatives from the industry, farmers, Departments and others. As one example, we have seen the use of chemical fertiliser decline by around 30% in two years. We do have a lot to do on water quality, but I do believe it is possible to improve water quality and to maintain the derogation.

See this speech in context