Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)

I thank the Senator for raising a vital issue. It is important it be discussed in the Seanad today. I accept his invitation to west Cork. I look forward to going down and meeting many of those farmers with him and seeing the great work happening in that space. This is all about trends and all about the science backing up our argument. We know the economic argument for this. I am clear that farmers can do more than one thing at a time. This is not a binary choice between defending farmers' incomes, minding a derogation and water quality. Farmers are as passionate about water quality as any of us and we are seeing improving trends, but we have a way to go with some of our pristine measures and those areas.

With regard to the steps being taken here, the additional areas were designed to allow maximum latitude within the December timeframe and maximum time for farmers to prepare for the change and manage their cows through the normal spring calving and lactation cycle, as well as fitting in with the programme for Government commitment to doing everything we can to retain this derogation. That will not be simple. A very big challenge lies ahead of us and I do not want anyone to be complacent about that.

The Senator raised a point about the EPA and other contributors to water quality. That is exactly why Government established the Cabinet subcommittee on water. We had our first meeting on 31 March and have another scheduled for June, chaired by the Taoiseach. This is not just about shining a light on what our agriculture and our farmers are doing but also about holding to account the EPA, our local authorities and Irish Water to make sure everybody pulls on the green jersey and we all do everything we can to retain a derogation beyond this year.