Michael Kitt (Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following:

—recognises that Ireland, as with all EU Member States, is required to adopt a nitrates action programme, including appropriate mandatory regulatory provisions, in order to give effect to the 1991 EU nitrates directive;

—notes that 20% of groundwater in Ireland has nitrate concentrations above guideline drinking water standards, that 27% of Ireland's rivers are affected by eutrophication and there is widespread bacteriological contamination of groundwater and drinking water supplies by livestock manure;

—recognises that as a modern, clean and developed country we have a duty to ensure that Ireland's rural communities and the rural economy should not be exposed to these problems;

—notes that the European Court of Justice in 2004 held that Ireland was in breach of the nitrates directive by failing to implement a nitrates action programme and that any further failures could lead to the imposition of daily fines which would be borne by the Irish taxpayer;

—welcomes the Government's efforts to secure European Commission approval for a derogation of up to 250 kg organic nitrogen per hectare per annum, on the basis agreed with the farming pillar under Sustaining Progress;

—notes that negotiations on the nitrates derogation, which is crucial to dairy farmers and the pig industry, are being affected by the delay in fully implementing the nitrates action programme;

—notes the connection between the implementation of Ireland's national nitrates action programme and regulations and the application, for the benefit of Irish farmers, of continuing EU agricultural support arrangements;

—endorses the Government's policy of securing the optimal and least-cost arrangements for compliance with the nitrates directive, thus protecting as far as possible the interests both of the environment and of those Irish farmers whose activities are affected;

—notes the range of measures which have and continue to be taken by the Government to address the costs at farm level which arise from the directive;

—recognises that extensive consultations with farming interests have taken place, in relation to the development of the national nitrates action programme and regulations; and

—supports the Government's efforts to secure Ireland's compliance with the nitrates directive.

I welcome the Minister to the House and am glad to have the opportunity to speak on this issue. Both Senators Bannon and Coonan made excellent speeches. According to the last part of the motion, Fine Gael wishes to implement the directive in a manner which is practical and workable for all farmers and does not unnecessarily go beyond what is required under EU law. However, the motion does not take into consideration the different types of farmers in this country. I represent many small farmers whose requirements might differ from those of larger farmers. At least Senator Bannon accepts that EU law is in place in this regard.

We must comply with this directive which was adopted in 1991 so it is 15 years since this measure was discussed.