Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)

In complete contrast, the Labour Party in the Dáil last week asked me who was standing up for the environment. I say to Senator O'Meara that I am. Her party's spokesperson in the Dáil last week indicated his impatience with this process, and he was right because we cannot continue to delude ourselves that we can ignore the realities. One wonders whether Fine Gael cares one whit about Irish water quality because there is not a single word in this motion, which I suggest Senator O'Meara should read, about the quality of water in this country, the health implications of bad quality water and the implications for rural houses and farming.

To paraphrase Deputy Howlin's contribution, Ireland's water resources are a major national asset. They supply our drinking water. They support rich natural habitats, including salmon and trout fisheries. They provide a wide range of commercial, industrial, recreational and amenity uses. They support rural life, and we should protect that resource.

The Environmental Protection Agency, in its well-regarded state of the environment report, estimated that in Ireland agriculture is the source of 73% of all phosphorus and 82% of all nitrates. Senator O'Meara told me to look at the science. That is the science. I am not a scientist and I will not second-guess an environmental scientific report which is much respected.

The nitrates directive aims to tackle eutrophication of waters due to excessive inputs of phosphorus and nitrates. Eutrophication of inland fresh waters has been identified by the Environmental Protection Agency "as probably Ireland's most serious environmental pollution problem", yet the second largest political party in this country wants me to ignore that reality. Nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphates are essential to agriculture but we must get the balance right. Farmers spend €400 million on artificial fertiliser. A 5% reduction in that would put €20 million a year into their pockets.

Ireland is the last of the EU 15 member states to adopt an action programme under the directive. We are in the present position because we have failed to do this. We would not step up to the plate and do what needed to be done. The debate on phosphates is fascinating. It would not have occurred when Deputy Noel Dempsey, as Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, wanted to do this. In 2001, shortly after the point when his progress stalled, the French phosphates case brought phosphates to the fore.

The financial consequences for Ireland and Irish agriculture of doing what Fine Gael asks tonight would be utterly devastating, if we remove the public health issue altogether. We would face daily fines of God knows what size. Farmers would have a problem because if we are not cross-compliant, farm payments will be disrupted.

Senator Dardis made the most important point, namely, there are 10,000 dairy farmers who desperately need the derogation. One of the Opposition Senators also mentioned this issue. The farmers want to go from 170 kg to 250 kg. I entered the nitrates committee on 12 December 2005 because I had the guts to sign this regulation on 11 December. It is critical to every progressive dairy farmer that we achieve that derogation. This latest nonsense has caused the suspension of discussions on the derogation which will stay suspended as long as Part 3 is suspended.