James Bannon (Fine Gael)

Farmers are caught between the Departments of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Agriculture and Food and the advisory body, Teagasc, regarding the implementation of the nitrates directive. I call on the Leader to invite the Minister for Agriculture and Food to the House as a matter of urgency to debate the nitrates action plan. If this is implemented in its current format, it will result in a loss of income for Irish farmers of between 10% and 20%. There is great anger among the farming community on this issue and the Government does not seem to have a policy on it. One Department is contradicting the other and the advisory body is coming up with a different statement on the matter. I ask the Leader to urgently invite the Minister to the House to discuss this issue.

When is it anticipated that Report Stage of the European Parliament Elections (Amendment) Bill will be taken?